HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT The CONTRACTOR hereby agrees to protect, defend, indemnify, and hold PLACER COUNTY free and harmless from any and all losses, claims, liens, demands, and causes of action of every kind and character including, but not limited to, the amounts of judgments, penalties, interest, court costs, legal fees, and all other expenses incurred by PLACER COUNTY arising in favor of any party, including claims, liens, debts, personal injuries, death, or damages to property (including employees or property of the COUNTY) and without limitation by enumeration, all other claims or demands of every character occurring or in any way incident to, in connection with or arising directly or indirectly out of, the contract or agreement. CONTRACTOR agrees to investigate, handle, respond to, provide defense for, and defend any such claims, demand, or suit at the sole expense of the CONTRACTOR. CONTRACTOR also agrees to bear all other costs and expenses related thereto, even if the claim or claims alleged are groundless, false, or fraudulent. This provision is not intended to create any cause of action in favor of any third party against CONTRACTOR or the COUNTY or to enlarge in any way the CONTRACTOR'S liability but is intended solely to provide for indemnification of PLACER COUNTY from liability for damages or injuries to third persons or property arising from CONTRACTOR'S performance pursuant to this contract or agreement. As used above, the term PLACER COUNTY means Placer County or its officers, agents, employees, and volunteers.