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 | 5 min read | 12.02.25

CARB Delays Enforcement of California’s Climate-Related Financial Risk Report Law (SB 261) and Issues New Guidance on Climate Disclosure Requirements in SB 261 and SB 253

As we have reported previously, California has enacted a pair of climate-related reporting laws that apply to large entities doing business in California (SB 253 and SB 261, as modified by SB 219). This alert provides an update on only the most recent events; please see previous alerts for a broader overview of the laws’ requirements....