All disputes that arise from or are related to this Agreement (excluding disputes for non-payment of amounts due to Big Ben Medical Supplies for the sale of products) shall be conclusively and exclusively resolved by good faith negotiation and if not resolved then to be resolved through binding arbitration in the state of Michigan. All disputes must be arbitrated on an individual basis, and there is no provision or authority for disputes to be arbitrated on a class action or collective basis. To remove any doubt, each party irrevocably forgoes any right to: (i) have any dispute resolved in a class action or collective action context, or (ii) obtain any damages or relief as a part of a class action or collective action. The arbitration will be conducted confidentially, in line with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association or, if relevant, under its Procedures for Large, Complex Commercial Disputes.
Any decision or award resulting from such an arbitration proceeding shall be written and provide an explanation for all legal and factual conclusions, including the appraisal of costs, expenses, and reasonable attorneys' fees. The arbitration shall be conducted by an arbitrator with experience in the disputed matter and will include a written record of the arbitration hearing. The parties retain the right to object to anyone who has been or is employed by or associated with a competing entity. An arbitration award may be validated in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Should any dispute or claim be deemed not subject to arbitration, all other disputes or claims that would have been subject to arbitration must still be arbitrated. In this Agreement, "Claims" refers to all liabilities, disputes, and expenses, including, but not limited to, claims, adversary proceedings (whether before a court, administrative agency, or any other tribunal), damages (whether compensatory, multiple, exemplary or punitive), judgments, awards, penalties, settlements, investigations, costs, responses to subpoenas or other governmental directives, and reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements associated with any claims that a Party hereto may sustain, suffer, or incur.
Governing Law, Dispute Resolution
This Agreement will be construed and the respective rights and obligations of the parties will be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan, without giving effect to conflicts of laws rules or principles. The parties agree that the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods is specifically excluded from application to this Agreement.
Publicity
Big Ben Medical Supplies will have the right to reference and use Customer’s name and trademarks, in each case, in Big Ben Medical Supplies business development and marketing efforts, including, without limitation, on Big Ben Medical Supplies website.
Waiver
No term or provision of this Agreement shall be considered waived by either party, and no breach excused by either party, unless such waiver or consent is in writing signed on behalf of the party against whom the waiver is asserted. No consent by either party to, or waiver of, a breach by either party, whether express or implied, shall constitute consent to, waiver of, or excuse of any other, different, or subsequent breach by either party.
Severability
If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remainder of the provision shall be amended to achieve as closely as possible the economic effect of the original term, and all other provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
Assignment
Customer may not assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Agreement to any third party, whether voluntarily or by operation of law or otherwise (including in connection with any merger or acquisition involving Customer), without the prior written consent of Big Ben Medical Supplies, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. Any purported assignment or transfer in violation of this section shall be void. Subject to the foregoing restrictions, this Agreement will bind and benefit the parties and their successors and permitted assigns. There are no third-party beneficiaries to this Agreement.