Louisiana Construction Anti-Indemnity Act

In a recent decision disagreeing with the First Circuit, the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Fifth Circuit held that (subject to certain exceptions) the Louisiana Construction Anti-Indemnity Act (La. R.S. 9:2780.1) (the “LCAIA”) is applicable to contracts awarded pursuant to the Public Works Act and prohibits a public entity from requiring a contractor to purchase insurance

The Louisiana Construction Anti-Indemnity Act (La. R.S. 9:2780.1) generally renders null, void and unenforceable any provision in a construction contract (defined broadly to include design, construction, alteration, renovation, repair, and maintenance) which either:

(1) purports to indemnify, defend, or hold harmless, or has the effect of indemnifying, defending, or holding harmless, the indemnitee against the