1. Home
  2. |Insights
  3. |Payback: Federal Circuit Requires Government to Reimburse under WWII-Era Indemnification Clauses

Payback: Federal Circuit Requires Government to Reimburse under WWII-Era Indemnification Clauses

Client Alert | 1 min read | 05.15.14

In Shell Oil Co. v. United States, No. 2013-5051, 2014 WL 1661493 (Fed. Cir. Apr. 28, 2014), the Federal Circuit held that the Government must indemnify WWII-era contractors for CERCLA costs incurred as a result of environmental damage arising out of certain contracts to provide aviation gasoline (avgas) required for the war effort, under the plain language of the "Taxes" clauses in the avgas contracts. The decision, which reversed the Court of Federal Claims (discussed here), may encourage other contractors to seek Government contract-based indemnification under similar contract provisions such as "hold harmless" clauses in facilities contracts cases (Ford and DuPont) and indemnification clauses authorized under Public Law 85-804 (also discussed here, here, and here).


Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 03.18.26

Federal Agencies Ordered to Prioritize Animal Welfare Enforcement, Elevating Compliance Risks for Regulated Organizations

Entities regulated by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) are potentially facing an unprecedented wave of federal enforcement as DOJ, USDA, HHS, and DHS unleash a plan to intensify inspections, increase compliance demands, and coordinate enforcement efforts like never before — making proactive preparation essential for all affected organizations....