JPI Westcoast Construction, L.P. v. RJS & Associates, Inc.

Opinion

HORNER, J. *

INTRODUCTION

Appellant JPI Westcoast Construction, L.P. (JPI), the general contractor on a large construction project, hired respondent RJS & Associates, Inc. (RJS), as a subcontractor on a phase of the project. The construction contract between JPI and RJS contained an indemnity clause in favor of JPI. During the course of the work undertaken by RJS, a worker was killed in an accident. In the underlying action, the worker’s family sued JPI, RJS and others for wrongful death. RJS’s insurers assumed defense of the action on behalf of JPI and RJS. A jury found that JPI was 20…