EXHIBIT 10.1
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered as of July 13, 2000 (the "Agreement"),
by and between Sun Healthcare Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx ("Employee"). Unless otherwise defined,
capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 12 hereto.
WHEREAS, Employee is Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company;
WHEREAS, Employee and the Company are parties to the Employment Agreement
and the Pre-Petition Indemnity Agreement;
WHEREAS, Employee is an insured under the Policy;
WHEREAS, on October 14, 1999, the Company and certain of its affiliates and
subsidiaries commenced cases under title 11 of the United States Code by filing
petitions with the Bankruptcy Court and continue to operate their businesses as
debtors and debtors in possession;
WHEREAS, Employee is a "Key Executive" as defined in the Retention Program;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
contained herein, the Company and Employee do hereby covenant and agree as
follows:
Section 1. Effectiveness and Termination. The provisions of this Section
shall become effective at the time both the Employee and the Company shall have
executed this Agreement. The remaining sections of this Agreement shall become
effective on the date that all of the following conditions have been satisfied:
(i) Employee and the Company shall have entered into the Expense Indemnification
Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Expense Indemnification
Agreement"), (ii) the Company shall have purchased (and paid the premium
applicable to) an extension of the discovery period described in Clause 10 of
the Policy for a period of 10 years, and (iii) the Bankruptcy Court shall have
entered an order approving the execution of this Agreement and the Expense
Indemnification Agreement by the Company, and such order shall no longer be
subject to appeal.
Section 2. Termination of the Employment Agreement and Resignation.
Employee and the Company hereby terminate the Employment Agreement and the
Pre-Petition Indemnity Agreement and all obligations of both parties thereunder
and Employee hereby resigns as Chairman and a member of the Board of Directors
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and from all other positions and
employment with the Company.
Section 3. Waiver of Rights Under Retention Program. Employee hereby waives
any and all of his rights under the Retention Program.
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Section 4. Health Benefits Employee and his eligible dependents shall have
the right to elect continued medical, dental, and health coverage in accordance
with Part 6 of Title I of the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended.
Section 5. Indemnification for Lease Guaranty. The Company hereby
indemnifies and agrees to reimburse Employee for any and all amounts paid by
Employee pursuant to his personal guaranty of the Xxxxxxx Lease pursuant to
Paragraph IX of the First Assignment Agreement (as such term is defined in the
definition of "Xxxxxxx Lease" set forth in Section 12 hereof).
Section 6. Confidentiality and Exclusive Property.
(a) Employee hereby agrees that he shall not at any time, except with
the prior written consent of the Board of Directors, directly or indirectly
disclose to any person Confidential Information that Employee may learn or
has learned by reason of his association with the Company.
(b) Employee hereby confirms that all Confidential Information is and
shall remain the exclusive property of the Company. All business records,
papers, and documents kept or made by Employee or Employee's counsel
relating to the business of the Company (and which constitute Confidential
Information) shall be and remain the property of the Company. Within thirty
(30) days following the Effective Date, Employee shall deliver to the
Company and shall not, without the consent of the Board of Directors,
retain copies of any documents, records or papers which constitute
Confidential Information.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) subsections (a) and (b) shall
not apply to Confidential Information that relates to Employee in his
individual capacity (including, but not limited to, agreements with respect
to which Employee is a party in his individual capacity, and tax,
accounting and other documents or records relating to Employee's status,
compensation or benefits); (ii) subject to the provisions of this
subsection (c), subsection (a) shall not apply to any Confidential
Information legally required to be disclosed in any judicial or regulatory
proceeding; and (iii) subject to the provisions of this subsection (c),
subsection (a) shall not limit Employee's ability to respond to any
judicial or investigative proceeding.
(d) In the event Employee is compelled to disclose Confidential
Information, he shall notify the Company promptly to enable the Company to
seek an appropriate protective order. If the Company seeks but is unable to
obtain a protective order, Employee may disclose that portion of the
Confidential Information that Employee is advised by counsel to disclose.
In any event, Employee agrees not to oppose action by the Company to obtain
an appropriate protective order or other reliable assurance that
confidential treatment will be accorded the Confidential Information. In
the event Employee determines that it is necessary to disclose Confidential
Information in response to a judicial or investigative proceeding, Employee
shall use his best efforts to maintain the confidentiality of such
Confidential Information, for example, by seeking a confidentiality
agreement or stipulation, or by filing such Confidential Information under
seal.
(e) Without intending to limit the remedies available to the Company,
Employee acknowledges that a breach of any of the covenants contained in
this Section may result in material irreparable injury to the Company for
which there is no adequate remedy at law; that it shall not be possible to
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measure damages for such injuries precisely; and that, in the event of such
a breach or threat thereof, the Company shall be entitled to obtain a
temporary restraining order and/or a preliminary or permanent injunction
restraining Employee from engaging in activities in violation of this
Section or such other relief as may be required to specifically enforce any
of the covenants in this Section.
Section 7. Mutual Releases. Employee hereby forever releases and discharges
the Company Entities and the Company, on behalf of the Company Entities, hereby
forever releases and discharges Employee from any and all grievances, claims,
demands, causes of action, fees, and liabilities of any kind whatsoever (based
upon any legal or equitable theory, whether contractual, common law, statutory,
federal, state, local, or otherwise), whether known or unknown, which the
Employee, on the one hand, or the Company Entities, on the other hand, ever had,
now have, or hereafter may have against each other arising out of or in any way
related to any act, omission, transaction, conduct, occurrence, or other matter
occurring up to and including the Effective Date, including, but not limited to,
any claims arising out of the terms and conditions of Employee's employment with
the Company, the Employment Agreement, and the Indemnity Agreement; except, (i)
retirement benefits accrued and vested prior to the Effective Date, (ii)
documented, accrued, and unpaid wages and benefits owing for the period through
the Effective Date, and (iii) the benefits specifically provided by this
Agreement and the Expense Indemnification Agreement.
Section 8. Non-Disparagement. For the two-year period commencing on the
Effective Date:
(a) Employee will not make any public statements which are intended or
would reasonably be expected to harm any of the Company Entities, damage or
otherwise diminish their reputation, or lead to unwanted or unfavorable
publicity to the Company or any of the Company Entities.
(b) No officer, director, employee or representative of the Company or
any Company Entity will make any public statements which are intended or
would reasonably be expected to harm Employee, damage or otherwise diminish
his reputation, or lead to unwanted or unfavorable publicity to Employee.
Section 9. Press Releases and Media Inquiries. Upon filing of this
Agreement with the Bankruptcy Court the Company shall issue the press release in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit B. The Company will not issue any further
press release or respond to any media inquiry regarding the resignation of
Employee from the Company, or the termination of Employee's services with the
Company, without the prior written approval of Employee as to the manner and
content of such press release or media response.
Section 10. Corporate Authority. The Company has all requisite corporate
authority to enter into this Agreement and the Expense Indemnification
Agreement, and to fulfill its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The
undersigned is duly authorized to execute this Agreement and the Expense
Indemnification Agreement for and on behalf of the Company.
Section 11. Future Cooperation.
(a) Employee agrees to fully and completely cooperate with the
Company, its affiliated entities, attorneys, agents, employees, officers,
directors and successors with respect to any claims, actions,
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investigations, or litigation that is currently pending or is hereafter
asserted against the Company by third parties. Such cooperation shall
include Employee making himself available to the Company or the Company's
attorneys at reasonable times and places for interviews, reviewing
documents, testifying in depositions or at legal or administrative
proceedings; and providing input with regard to any defense or claims that
the Company might raise or assert. If Employee is contacted by any person
who has pending or is seeking to initiate a claim against the Company,
Employee agrees to immediately contact the Company's legal department at
(000) 000-0000.
(b) The Company agrees to fully and completely cooperate with Employee
and his attorneys or agents with respect to any claims, actions,
investigations, or litigation that is currently pending or is hereafter
asserted against Employee by third parties. Such cooperation shall include
representatives of the Company being made available to Employee or his
attorneys at reasonable times and places for interviews, reviewing
documents, testifying in depositions or at legal or administrative
proceedings. If the Company is contacted by any person who has pending or
is seeking to initiate a claim against Employee, the Company agrees to
immediately contact Employee.
Section 12. Definitions.
(a) "Board of Directors" means the board of directors of the Company.
(b) "Bankruptcy Court" means the United States Bankruptcy Court for
the District of Delaware in the jointly administered chapter 11 bankruptcy
cases captioned In re Sun Healthcare Group, et. Al., 99-03657 (MFW).
(c) "Xxxxxxx Lease" means The Lease, dated January 1, 1987, between
Xxxxxxx Investment Properties, Inc., as lessor, and Xxxxxxx
Enterprises-Connecticut, Inc., as Lessee with respect to the 126-bed
long-term care facility now known as The Rehabilitation and Health Care
Center of Litchfield Hills, located at 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, XX
00000 (the "Lease"), which Lease was assigned by Assignment and Assumption
of Lease with Consent of Lessor, dated November 1, 1990, among Xxxxxxx
Enterprises-Connecticut, Inc., as Assignor, and Xxxxxx Enterprises, Inc.,
as Assignee, Xxxx Xxxxxx and Xxxx Xxxxxx, husband and wife, as Guarantors,
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and Xxx Xxxxxxx, as Special Guarantors, and Nationwide
Health Properties, Inc., formerly known as Xxxxxxx Investment Properties,
Inc., as Lessor (the "First Assignment Agreement"); and which Lease was
further assigned y Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated January 1,
1994 between Xxxxxx Enterprises, Inc., as Assignor, and Sunrise Healthcare
Corporation (now known as SunBridge Healthcare Corporation), as Assignee,
which assignment was consented to by Xxxxxxx Enterprises-Connecticut, Inc.,
by Consent to Assignment dated December 22, 1993 (the "Second Assignment
Agreement").
(d) "Company" means Sun Healthcare Group, Inc.
(e) "Company Entities" means (i) the Company, (ii) subsidiaries of the
Company, and (iii) any entities which are affiliated or related to the
Company and with respect to which the Company exercises control, and (iv)
with respect to the entities set forth in clauses (i) through (iii) of this
Section 12(d), their respective predecessors, successors, assigns, and
employee benefit plans, and their respective past, present, or future
officers, directors, shareholders, employees, trustees, fiduciaries,
administrators, agents, or representatives.
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(f) "Confidential Information" means any information not previously
disclosed to the public or to the trade with respect to the Company's
services, products, facilities, methods, trade secrets and other
intellectual property systems, procedures, manuals, confidential reports,
product price lists, customer lists, financial information (including the
revenues, costs, or profits associated with any of the Company's services
or products), business plans, prospects or opportunities.
(g) "Effective Date" means the date on which all the provisions of
this Agreement become effective, as specified in Section 1.
(h) "Employee" means Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx.
(i) "Employment Agreement" means that certain Employment Agreement,
dated June 2, 1998, between the Company and Employee.
(j) "Policy" means that certain insurance policy for the benefit of
the Company and certain other insureds, issued by National Union Fire
Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Policy No. 861-27-95) and
the endorsements thereto.
(k) "Pre-Petition Indemnity Agreement" means that certain Indemnity
Agreement, entered into as of July 3, 1996, between Employee and the
Company, pursuant to which Employee is entitled to indemnification and
advancement of legal expenses as provided herein.
(l) "Retention Program" means the employee retention program specified
in the Motion of the Debtors for an Order Approving and Authorizing the
Establishment of an Employee Retention Program for Key Employees, which was
approved by the Bankruptcy Court on December 15, 1999.
Section 13. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement
shall be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever
(i) the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions of
this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of
this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal, or
unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal, or unenforceable) shall not
in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (ii) to the fullest extent
possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each
portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to
be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or
unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested
thereby. Section 14. Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be
an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom
enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this
Agreement.
Section 15. Headings. The headings of the Sections of this Agreement are
inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this
Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
Section 16. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification, or
amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by each
of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement
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shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions thereof
(whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
Section 17. Notices. All notices, requests, demands, and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given (i) on the date such notice is delivered by hand and receipted for by
the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed or
(ii) on the third business day after such notice shall have been mailed by
certified or registered mail with postage prepaid at the following addresses:
(a) If to Employee:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
0 Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
(b) If to the Company:
Sun Healthcare Group, Inc.
Attn: General Counsel
000 Xxx Xxxx X.X.
Xxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
or to such other address as may have been furnished for such purpose and in the
manner provided in this Section to Employee by the Company or to the Company by
Employee, as the case may be.
Section 18. Governing Law/Consent to Jurisdiction. The parties agree that
this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of
conflict of laws. The Company and Employee each hereby irrevocably consent to
the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware, including the
Bankruptcy Court, for all purposes in connection with any action, suit, or
proceeding which arises out of or relates to this Agreement.
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Section 19. Miscellaneous. Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to
include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the
day and year first above written.
SUN HEALTHCARE GROUP, INC.
a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
--------------------
Director
EMPLOYEE
/s/ Xxxxxx x. Xxxxxx
--------------------
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EXHIBIT 10.2
EXPENSE INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
THIS EXPENSE INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and
entered as of the 13th day of July, 2000, by and between Sun Healthcare Group,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
("Beneficiary"). Unless otherwise defined, capitalized terms used in this
Agreement are defined in Section 13 hereto.
WHEREAS, Beneficiary is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company;
WHEREAS, Beneficiary and the Company are parties to an employment
agreement, dated June 2, 1998;
WHEREAS, Beneficiary and the Company are parties to an Indemnity Agreement,
entered into as of July 3, 1996, pursuant to which Beneficiary is entitled to
indemnification and advancement of legal expenses as provided therein;
WHEREAS, Beneficiary is an insured under a certain policy which provides
liability insurance for officers and directors of the Company (the "Policy");
WHEREAS, on October 14, 1999, the Company and certain of its affiliates and
subsidiaries commenced cases captioned In re Sun Healthcare Group, et al.,
99-03657 (MFW) under title 11 of the United States Code by filing petitions with
the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, and continue to
operate their businesses as debtors and debtors in possession;
WHEREAS, Beneficiary is a "Key Executive" as defined in the Motion of the
Debtors for an Order Approving and Authorizing the Establishment of an Employee
Retention Program for Key Employees, which was approved by the United States
Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware on December 15, 1999;
WHEREAS, Beneficiary and the Company have entered into that certain
Settlement Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, which, among other things,
terminates Beneficiary's services with the Company and requires the parties
hereto to enter into this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
contained herein, the Company and Beneficiary do hereby covenant and agree as
follows:
Section 1. Effectiveness and Termination. This Agreement shall become
effective and enforceable against the parties hereto on the Effective Date. This
Agreement shall continue until and terminate upon the tenth anniversary of the
Effective Date. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its
successors and assigns and shall survive the death, disability, or incapacity of
the Beneficiary or the termination of the Beneficiary's service as a director or
officer of the Company and shall inure to the benefit of Beneficiary and his
heirs, executors, and administrators.
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Section 2. Indemnification of Expenses. Subject to the limitations
identified in Sections 3 and 11, and the procedure and determination specified
in Section 6, Beneficiary shall be entitled to be indemnified by the Company
against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Beneficiary if, in
connection with or by reason of an Indemnification Event, Beneficiary (i) is or
is being threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed
Proceeding and (ii) either (A) acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and with
respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his
conduct was unlawful, or (B) otherwise complied with the standard of conduct
required for indemnification by Delaware law, as in effect from time to time. In
addition, Beneficiary shall be entitled to be indemnified by the Company against
all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Beneficiary if, by reason of an
Indemnification Event, Beneficiary is a witness (by deposition, at trial or
otherwise), is interviewed, or produces documents (whether or not subpoenaed) in
a Proceeding with respect to which Beneficiary is not a party.
Section 3. Limitation on Aggregate Expenses. The aggregate amount of
Expenses the Company is obligated to advance or reimburse to Beneficiary
pursuant to this Agreement, in addition to Expenses for which the Company is
paid or reimbursed under the Policy, shall not exceed $5,000,000 less the
Aggregate Expenses.
Section 4 Insurance Policy. As a condition precedent to the effectiveness
of this Agreement, the Company shall have (i) prepaid all applicable premiums on
the Policy for the policy period that is in effect on the Effective Date, and
(ii) purchased an extension (including payment of the premium applicable
thereto) of the discovery period described in Clause 10 of the Policy for a
period of ten years.
Section 5. Advancement of Expenses and Undertaking to Repay.
(a) Within twenty business days after delivery by Beneficiary to the
Company of a properly completed Certificate of Indemnification in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit A (a Certificate of Indemnification), the Company
shall advance to Beneficiary the amount of Expenses specified in such
Certificate. A properly completed Certificate of Indemnification shall
reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Beneficiary and shall include a
written undertaking (which shall be accepted by or on behalf of the Company
without reference to the financial ability of Beneficiary to make repayment, and
without the pledging of any security by Beneficiary to make repayment) by or on
behalf of Beneficiary to repay any Expenses advanced if, as, and when it shall
ultimately be determined that Beneficiary is not entitled to be indemnified
against such Expenses.
(b) No determination under Section 6 as to Beneficiary's entitlement to
indemnification shall be made in connection with the advancement of Expenses
under this Section until (i) the settlement or final adjudication of a civil
Proceeding for which Beneficiary has requested indemnification, (ii) the
settlement of or conviction in a criminal Proceeding for which Beneficiary has
requested indemnification, (iii) notification to Beneficiary that a civil or
criminal investigation for which Beneficiary has requested indemnification has
been completed or discontinued, or (iv) the conclusion of any other matter for
which Beneficiary has requested indemnification. To the extent that a
2
determination is made pursuant to Section 6 hereof that Beneficiary was not
entitled to indemnification for certain Expenses advanced to Beneficiary under
Section 5(a), Beneficiary shall (subject to the exercise of Beneficiary's rights
under Section 8 hereof) repay such Expenses to the Company without interest.
Section 6. Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification.
(a) Upon the receipt by the Company of a Certificate of
Indemnification, the Secretary of the Company shall promptly advise the
Board of Directors in writing that Beneficiary has requested
indemnification of Expenses hereunder.
(b) Except with respect to Expenses advanced to Beneficiary under
Section 5 hereof, upon the receipt by the Company of a Certificate of
Indemnification, a determination with respect to Beneficiary's entitlement
to indemnification of Expenses shall be made as soon as possible.
(i) Subject to subsection (b)(ii) hereof, if a Change in Control
shall have occurred, or if a Change of Control has not occurred but
Beneficiary so elects, the determination shall be made by Independent
Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of
which shall be delivered to Beneficiary.
(ii) If a Change of Control has not occurred, or if a Change of
Control has occurred but Beneficiary so elects, the determination
shall be made (A) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a
quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors, provided, however, that
if a quorum of the Board of Directors consisting of Disinterested
Directors is not obtainable the determination shall be made by
Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a
copy of which shall be delivered to Beneficiary, or (B) by the
stockholders of the Company.
(iii) Beneficiary shall cooperate with the person, persons, or
entity making such determination, including providing to such person,
persons, or entity, upon reasonable advance request, any documentation
or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from
disclosure and which is reasonably available to Beneficiary and
reasonably necessary to such determination.
(c) If it is determined in accordance with subsection (b) that
Beneficiary is entitled to indemnification, payment to Beneficiary shall be
made within twenty business days after such determination (unless such
payment shall already have been advanced to Beneficiary pursuant to Section
5 hereof).
(d) In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification
against Expenses is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to this
Section 6, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as follows. If a
Change of Control shall not have occurred, the Independent Counsel shall be
selected by the Board of Directors, and the Company shall give written
notice to Beneficiary advising him of the identity of the Independent
Counsel so selected. If a Change of Control shall have occurred, the
Independent Counsel shall be selected by Beneficiary (unless Beneficiary
shall request that such selection be made by the Board of Directors, in
which event the preceding sentence shall apply), and Beneficiary shall give
written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the
Independent Counsel so selected. In either event, Beneficiary or the
Company, as the case may be, may, within ten business days after such
written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company
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or to Beneficiary, as the case may be, a written objection to such
selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on
the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the
requirements of "Independent Counsel" as defined in this Agreement, and the
objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such
assertion. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the
Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless
and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such
objection is without merit. If, within twenty business days after
submission by Beneficiary of a written request for indemnification pursuant
to this Section, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not
objected to, either the Company or Beneficiary may petition the Court of
Chancery of the State of Delaware or other court of competent jurisdiction
for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company
or Beneficiary to the other's selection of Independent Counsel and/or for
the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the Court or
by such other person as the Court shall designate, and the person with
respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed
shall act as Independent Counsel under this Section. The Company shall pay
any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by
such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to this
Section, and the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses
incident to the procedures of this Section, including, without limitation,
those of Beneficiary, regardless of the manner in which such Independent
Counsel was selected or appointed. Upon the due commencement of any
judicial proceeding, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved
of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable
standards of professional conduct then prevailing).
Section 7. Presumption and Effect of Certain Proceedings.
(a) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to
indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such
determination shall presume that Beneficiary is entitled to indemnification
under this Agreement if Beneficiary has submitted a properly completed
Certificate of Indemnification. The Company shall have the burden of proof
to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person,
persons, or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption.
(b) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue, or
matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement, or conviction, or upon a
plea of nolo-contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise
expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right
of Beneficiary to indemnification against Expenses or create a presumption
that Beneficiary did not act in good faith and in a manner which he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Beneficiary had
reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
(c) Beneficiary's conduct with respect to an employee benefit plan for
a purpose he reasonably believed to be in the interests of the participants
in and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be conduct that
Beneficiary reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Company.
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(d) For purposes of any determination hereunder, Beneficiary shall be
deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, or, with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, to have had no reasonable
cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, if his action was reasonably
based on (i) the records or books of account of the Company or another
enterprise, including financial statements, (ii) information supplied to
him by the officers of the Company or another enterprise in the course of
their duties, (iii) the advice of legal counsel for the Company or another
enterprise in the course of their duties, (iv) information or records given
or reports made to the Company or another enterprise by an independent
certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected
with reasonable care by the Company or another enterprise. The term
"another enterprise" as used in this Section shall mean any other
corporation or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit
plan, or other enterprise of which Beneficiary is or was serving at the
request of the Company as an officer, director, partner, trustee, employee,
or agent. The provisions of this Section shall not be deemed to limit in
any way the other circumstances in which Beneficiary may be deemed to have
met the applicable standard of conduct for indemnification against
Expenses.
Section 8. Remedies of Beneficiary.
(a) In the event that: (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section
6 that Beneficiary is not entitled to indemnification against Expenses
under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made
pursuant to Section 5, (iii) no determination of entitlement to
indemnification against Expenses shall have been made within sixty days
after receipt by the Company of a properly completed Certificate of
Indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification of Expenses is not made
within twenty business days after a determination has been made that
Beneficiary is entitled to such indemnification, Beneficiary shall be
entitled to request an adjudication in an appropriate court of the State of
Delaware of his entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of
Expenses. Beneficiary shall commence such proceeding seeking an
adjudication within one year following the date on which Beneficiary first
has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section.
(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to
Section 6 that Beneficiary is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial
proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section shall be conducted in all
respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits, and Beneficiary
shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. If a
Change of Control shall have occurred, in any judicial proceeding or
arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section, the Company shall have the
burden of proving that Beneficiary is not entitled to indemnification or
advancement of Expenses, as the case may be.
(c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 6 that
Beneficiary is entitled to indemnification against or advancement of
Expenses, as the case may be, the Company shall be bound by such
determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this
Section.
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(d) The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial
proceeding commenced pursuant to the provisions of this Section that
procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding, and
enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such
arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this
Agreement.
Section 9. Costs. It is the intent of the Company that Beneficiary not be
required to incur the expenses associated with the enforcement of his rights
under this Agreement by litigation or other legal action because the cost and
expense thereof would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be
extended to Beneficiary hereunder. Accordingly, the Company shall be solely
responsible for paying (i) all the costs of making the determination required by
Section 6 hereof, including, but not limited to, the costs of legal counsel,
proxy solicitations, and judicial determinations, (ii) any cost or expenses
(including attorney fees and disbursements) incurred by Beneficiary in
cooperating with the person, persons, or entity making such determination
(irrespective of the determination as to the Beneficiary's entitlement to
indemnification), (iii) all reasonable expenses incurred by Beneficiary to
enforce this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the costs incurred by
Beneficiary to obtain court-ordered indemnification pursuant to Section 8,
regardless of the outcome of any such application or proceeding (so long as
Beneficiary has acted in good faith), and (iv) all costs of defending any suits
or investigation or proceedings challenging payments to Beneficiary under this
Agreement or challenging the validity of or seeking to declare this Agreement
void or unenforceable (so long as Beneficiary has acted in good faith).
Section 10. Survival of Rights; Insurance; Subrogation.
(a) To the extent that any change is made to Delaware law (whether by
legislative action or judicial decision) that permits any greater right to
indemnification and/or advancement of expenses than that provided under
this Agreement as of the date hereof, Beneficiary shall be deemed to have
such greater right pursuant to this Agreement. No amendment, alteration, or
repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict
any right of Beneficiary under this Agreement in respect of any action
taken or omitted by such Beneficiary in connection with an Indemnification
Event prior to such amendment, alteration, or repeal.
(b) At the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to
Section 6 hereof, the Company shall give prompt notice of the assertion of
such claim to the insurer or insurers under the Policy in accordance with
the procedures set forth in the Policy. The Company shall thereafter take
all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurer or insurers to pay,
on behalf of Beneficiary, all amounts payable as a result of such claim in
accordance with the terms of the Policy.
(c) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company
shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of
recovery of Beneficiary, who shall execute all papers required and take all
action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such
documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce
such rights.
6
Section 11. Limitations to Rights of Indemnification and Advancement of
Expenses. Except as otherwise provided in Section 9, Beneficiary shall not be
entitled to indemnification against or advancement of Expenses under this
Agreement:
(a) with respect to any action, suit, or proceeding initiated,
brought, or made by Beneficiary against the Company or any other person,
unless approved in advance by the Board of Directors;
(b) for expenses or liabilities of any type whatsoever (including, but
not limited to, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and
amounts paid in settlement) which have been paid directly to Beneficiary by
an insurance carrier under the Policy or any other policy of liability
insurance maintained by the Company;
(c) for expenses or the payment of profits arising from the purchase
and sale by Beneficiary of securities in violation of Section 16(b) of the
Exchange Act or any similar successor statute;
(d) if it is determined by final judgment by a court having
jurisdiction in the matter that such indemnification against or advancement
of Expenses is not lawful; or
(e) to the extent that Beneficiary has otherwise actually received
such payment from any other person.
Section 12. Mutual Acknowledgement. Both the Company and Beneficiary
acknowledge that in certain instances federal law may override applicable state
law and prohibit the Company from indemnifying its directors and officers under
this Agreement or otherwise. For example, the Company and Beneficiary
acknowledge that the Securities and Exchange Commission has taken the position
that indemnification is not permissible for liabilities arising under certain
federal securities laws, and federal legislation prohibits indemnification for
certain ERISA violations.
Section 13. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) "Aggregate Expenses" means the aggregate Expenses incurred after
the Effective Date by all Eligible Persons which the Company has paid
pursuant to an Eligible Agreement.
(b) "Aggregate Expense Limitation" means the limitation specified in
Section 3 hereof.
(c) "Beneficiary" means Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx.
(d) "Board of Directors" means the board of directors of the Company.
(e) "Change of Control" means a change in control of the Company
occurring after the Effective Date of a nature that would be required to be
reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or in
response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated
under the Exchange Act, whether or not the Company is then subject to such
reporting requirement, provided, however, that without limitation, such a
Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if after the Effective
Date (i) any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of
7
the Exchange Act, as amended) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Company representing 20% or more of the combined voting
power of the Company's then outstanding securities without the prior
approval of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors in
office immediately prior to such person attaining such percentage interest,
(ii) there occurs a proxy contest, or the Company is a party to a merger,
consolidation, sale of assets, plan of liquidation, or other reorganization
as a consequence of which members of the Board of Directors in office
immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a
majority of the Board of Directors thereafter, or (iii) during any period
of consecutive years, other than as a result of an event described in
clause (ii) of this definition, individuals who at the beginning of such
period constituted the Board of Directors (including for this purpose any
new director whose election or nomination for election by the Company's
stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors
then still in office who were directors at the beginning of such period)
cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of
Directors.
(f) "Company" means Sun Healthcare Group, Inc.
(g) "Disinterested Director" means a director of the Company who is
not and was not a party, or threatened to be made a party, to the
Proceeding in respect of which indemnification against Expenses is sought
by Beneficiary.
(h) "Effective Date" means the date on which an order entered by the
United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware in the jointly
administered bankruptcy case captioned In re Sun Healthcare Group, et al.,
99-03657 (MFW) approving this Agreement is no longer subject to appeal.
(i) "Eligible Person" means an individual, excluding Beneficiary, who
is an officer or director of the Company as of the date of this Agreement.
(j) "Eligible Agreement" means a written agreement by and between the
Company and an Eligible Person pursuant which the Company indemnifies or is
otherwise obligated to advance or reimburse Expenses incurred by such
Person.
(k) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(l) "Expenses" means all reasonable attorney fees, retainers, court
costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses,
duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage,
delivery service fees, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types
customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing
to prosecute or defend, investigating, or being or preparing to be a
witness in a Proceeding, together with any and all applicable sales, gross
receipts, and similar taxes thereon.
(m) "Indemnification Event" means any event or occurrence related to
Beneficiary's status as a director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary
of the Company, or Beneficiary's status as a director, officer, employee,
trustee, agent, or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, employee benefit plan, trust, or other enterprise at the request
8
or on behalf of the Company, and also means anything done or not done by
Beneficiary in or related to any such status, service or capacity.
(n) "Independent Counsel" means a law firm, or member of a law firm,
that is experienced in matters of Delaware corporation law and neither
presently is, nor in the immediately proceeding five years has been,
retained to represent the Company or Beneficiary in any matter material to
either such party or any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a
claim for indemnification of Expenses hereunder. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the term "Independent Counsel" shall not include any person,
who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing
under the law of the State of Delaware, would be precluded from
representing either the Company or the Beneficiary in an action to
determine Beneficiary's rights under this Agreement.
(o) "Proceeding" means any action, suit, arbitration, alternative
dispute resolution mechanism, inquiry, investigation, administrative
hearing, or any other proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative,
or investigative, whether instituted by the Company or any other party,
except one (i) initiated by Beneficiary pursuant to Section 8 to enforce
his rights under this Agreement or (ii) initiated by Beneficiary prior to a
Change in Control, unless authorized in advance by the Board of Directors
of the Company. The term "Proceeding" shall be deemed to include an action
in which Beneficiary seeks recovery under the Policy or any other insurance
policy maintained by the Company under which Beneficiary is a named
insured.
Section 14. Quarterly Reports to Beneficiary. The Company shall provide to
Beneficiary, not later than the fifteenth (15th) day following the last day of
each calendar quarter during the period from the Effective Date to the second
anniversary of the Effective Date, a written report which specifies (i) the
Aggregate Expenses and claims paid under the Policy during such calendar
quarter, (ii) the Aggregate Expenses and claims pending under the Policy as of
the last day of such calendar quarter, and (iii) the amounts available to
Beneficiary under each of the Policy and the Aggregate Expense Limitation as of
the last day of such calendar quarter. Following the second anniversary of the
Effective Date and for the remaining term of this Agreement, the Company will
provide such report to Beneficiary upon request, but not more frequently than
once per quarter.
Section 15. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement
shall be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever
(i) the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions of
this Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any Section of
this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal, or
unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal, or unenforceable) shall not
in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (ii) to the fullest extent
possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each
portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to
be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or
unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested
thereby.
Section 16. Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one
or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an
9
original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is
sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.
Section 17. Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are
inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this
Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
Section 18. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification, or
amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by each
of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement
shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions thereof
(whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
Section 19. Notification of a Proceeding. Beneficiary agrees to notify the
Company in writing within a reasonable time after being served with any summons,
citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information, or other document
relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification
against or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder; provided, however, that
the failure by Beneficiary to provide such notice shall not relieve the Company
of its obligations under this Agreement unless and to the extent that the
Company is prejudiced by such failure.
Section 20. Notices. All notices, requests, demands, and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given (i) on the date such notice is delivered by hand and receipted for by
the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed or
(ii) on the third business day after such notice shall have been mailed by
certified or registered mail with postage prepaid at the following addresses:
(a) If to Beneficiary:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
0 Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
(b) If to the Company:
Sun Healthcare Group, Inc.
Attn: General Counsel
000 Xxx Xxxx X.X.
Xxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
or to such other addresses as may have been furnished for such purpose and in
the manner provided in this Section to Beneficiary or the Company.
Section 21. Governing Law/Consent to Jurisdiction. The parties agree that
this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of
conflict of laws. The Company and Beneficiary each hereby irrevocably consent to
the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware, including the United
10
States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, for all purposes in
connection with any action, suit, or proceeding which arises out of or relates
to this Agreement.
Section 22. Miscellaneous. Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to
include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the
day and year first above written.
SUN HEALTHCARE GROUP, INC.
a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
--------------------
Director
BENEFICIARY
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
--------------------
11
EXHIBIT A
CERTIFICATE OF INDEMNIFICATION
[Date]
This Certificate of Indemnification is being provided pursuant to the terms
of that certain Expense Indemnification Agreement, dated as of July 13, 2000, by
and between Sun Healthcare Group, Inc. and the undersigned (the "Agreement").
Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used herein have the meanings
specified in the Agreement. I, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, hereby certify that as of the
date specified above:
1. I have incurred Expenses in the aggregate amount of $____________.
Copies of statements substantiating such Expenses are attached hereto.
2. I hereby request that such Expenses be advanced to me in accordance with
Section 5 of the Agreement.
3. I hereby agree to repay the Expenses advanced in accordance with
paragraph 2 hereof if, as, and when it shall ultimately be determined pursuant
to the Agreement that I am not entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses.
_______________________________
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
EXHIBIT 10.3
July 31, 2000
Xx. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
00000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx, XX
Xxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Re: Incentive Bonus and Severance Agreement
Dear Xxxxxx:
The following sets forth our agreement (the "Agreement") regarding your
incentive bonus and the terms and conditions that will apply in the event of the
termination of your services to (hereinafter referred to as "employment") Sun
Healthcare (Europe) B.V. and Sun Healthcare Group UK Limited (collectively the
"Company"). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined, shall have the meanings
specified in Section 9.
1. Effectiveness and Term. On execution by the Company and you, this
Agreement shall be effective as of December 15, 1999, and shall continue so long
as you are employed by the Company, provided, that if you make the election
specified under Section 2 this Agreement shall immediately terminate and you
shall not be entitled to receive any payments or benefits hereunder.
2. Election to Terminate Agreement and Relationship With Prior Severance
Agreement. You hereby agree that on the date you execute this agreement the
Prior Severance Agreement shall automatically terminate and you shall no longer
be entitled to any rights or to receive any benefits thereunder.
3. Incentive Bonus and Retention Payments. The Company has assigned to you
the principal responsibility for the sale of the International Assets. The
Company will pay you an incentive bonus of $200,000 on the Sale Date and
retention bonus payments of $75,000 on the earlier to occur of September 30,
2000, or the Sale Date and $75,000 on the earlier to occur of the January 1,
2001, or Sale Date, provided that (i) you have not voluntarily terminated your
employment with the Company prior to such payment date or (ii) your Involuntary
Termination shall have occurred less than three months prior to such payment
date.
1
4. Effect of Involuntary Termination. In the event of your Involuntary
Termination, the Company shall make either the Mitigation Election or the
Non-compete Election at the time of such Involuntary Termination.
(a) Severance Payment Under Mitigation Option. In the event the
Company makes the Mitigation Election and subject to your execution of a
release in favor of the Company and Sun Healthcare, the Company shall (i)
pay you an amount equal to your annual salary at the rate then in effect
and (ii) deposit into the Escrow Account an amount equal to your annual
salary at the rate then in effect. You agree to notify the Company and Sun
Healthcare in writing within ten business days after obtaining any
employment during the two years after your Involuntary Termination. On the
first anniversary of your Involuntary Termination, the Company shall be
entitled to withdraw from the Escrow Account an amount equal to the sum of
any signing bonuses and all salary earned by you subsequent to your
Involuntary Termination through the first anniversary of such date
(regardless of whether such bonuses and/or salary is deferred at the
election of either you or your new employer) and the interest allocable to
such amounts. On the last day of each month commencing with the first month
after the first anniversary of your Involuntary Termination and ending with
the twelfth month after such anniversary, you may receive an amount equal
to the Monthly Severance Payment following delivery to the Company and to
Sun Healthcare of your sworn statement that you are entitled to receive
such amount hereunder.
(b) Severance Payment Under Non-compete Option. In the event the
Company makes the Non-compete Election and subject to your execution of a
release in favor of the Company and Sun Healthcare, the Company shall pay
you an amount equal to two times your annual salary at the rate then in
effect. You shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payments
provided in this subsection by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor
shall the amount of any payment or benefit provided for in this subsection
be reduced by any compensation earned by you as the result of employment by
another employer or by pension benefits paid by the Company or another
employer after the date of termination or otherwise.
(c) Benefit Payment. In the event of your Involuntary Termination, you
and your eligible dependents shall continue to be eligible to participate
during the Benefit Continuation Period in the medical, dental, health,
life, and other fringe benefit plans and arrangements applicable to you
immediately prior to you Involuntary Termination on the same terms and
conditions in effect for you and your dependents immediately prior to such
Involuntary Termination.
5. Effect of Other Terminations. In the event that your employment with the
Company terminates for reasons other than your Involuntary Termination, the
Company shall pay you the full amount of any earned but unpaid salary through
the date of such termination, plus a cash payment (calculated on the basis of
your salary at the rate then in effect) for all unused paid time off which you
may have earned as of the date of such termination and a cash payment for any
unreimbursed expenses. As of the date of such termination, you shall immediately
2
relinquish the right to any additional payments or benefits from the Company
under this Agreement.
6. Return of Payments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, you
agree to return all payments made by the Company to you hereunder, if you become
employed by or affiliated in any manner without prior written approval from Sun
Healthcare with the purchaser of any of the International Assets at any time
before the second anniversary of the date of your Involuntary Termination.
7. Protection of the Company's Interests.
(a) No Competing Employment. You shall not, unless you receive the
prior written consent of the Company and Sun Healthcare, directly or
indirectly, own an interest in, manage, operate, join, control, lend money,
or render financial or other assistance to or participate in or be
connected with, as an officer, employee, partner, stockholder, consultant,
or otherwise, any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, or other
business organization or entity that competes with the Company or Sun
Healthcare (other than an entity that began competing with the Company or
Sun Healthcare after your termination of employment) (i) as long as you are
employed by the Company, (ii) during the Restricted Period in the event of
your Involuntary Termination and the Non-compete Election by the Company,
and (iii) during the Restricted Period in the event of termination of your
employment for any other reason; provided, however, that this Section shall
not proscribe your ownership, either directly or indirectly, of less than
five percent of any class of securities which are listed on a national
securities exchange or quoted on the automated quotation system of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.; provided, further, that
this Section shall not proscribe your employment by an entity that competes
with the Company or Sun Healthcare in a capacity which is not responsible
for the generation of operating revenue.
(b) No Interference. During the Restricted Period, you shall not,
whether for your own account or for the account of any other individual,
partnership, firm, corporation, or other business organization (other than
the Company or Sun Healthcare), intentionally solicit, endeavor to entice
away from the Company or Sun Healthcare, or otherwise interfere with the
relationship of the Company or Sun Healthcare with, any person who is
employed by or otherwise engaged to perform services for the Company or Sun
Healthcare or any person or entity who is, or was within the then most
recent twelve-month period, a customer, client, or supplier of the Company
or Sun Healthcare.
(c) Confidentiality. You hereby covenant and agree that you will not
at any time, except in performance of your obligations to the Company
hereunder or with the prior written consent of the Company and Sun
Healthcare, directly or indirectly disclose to any person any secret or
Confidential Information that you may learn or have learned by reason of
your association with the Company or Sun Healthcare.
(d) Exclusive Property. You hereby confirm that all Confidential
Information is and shall remain the exclusive property of the Company or
3
Sun Healthcare, as the case may be. All business records, papers, and
documents kept or made by you in whatever form maintained, whether
documentary, computerized, or otherwise, relating to the business of the
Company or Sun Healthcare shall be and remain the property of the Company
or Sun Healthcare, as the case may be. On termination of your employment
with the Company or Sun Healthcare for any reason or upon the request of
the Company or Sun Healthcare at any time, you shall promptly deliver to
Sun Healthcare, and shall not without the consent of the Company and Sun
Healthcare, retain copies of any Confidential Information, or records and
documents made by you or coming into your possession concerning the
business or affairs of the Company or Sun Healthcare.
(e) Relief. Without intending to limit the remedies available to the
Company, you acknowledge that a breach of any of the covenants contained in
this Section may result in material irreparable injury to the Company or
Sun Healthcare for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will
not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in
the event of such a breach or threat thereof, the Company or Sun Healthcare
shall be entitled to obtain a temporary restraining order and/or a
preliminary injunction restraining you from engaging in activities
prohibited by this Section or such other relief as may be required to
specifically enforce any of the covenants of this Section.
8. Legal Fees and Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse you on an
after-tax basis for all costs and expenses (including, without limitation, court
costs and reasonable legal fees and expenses which reflect common practice with
respect to the matters involved) incurred by you as a result of any claim,
action or proceeding (i) arising out of your termination of employment during
the Term, (ii) contesting, disputing or enforcing any right, benefits or
obligations under this Agreement or (iii) arising out of or challenging the
validity, advisability or enforceability of this Agreement or any provision
thereof; provided, however, that this provision shall not apply if the relevant
trier-of-fact determines that your claim or position was frivolous and without
reasonable foundation.
9. Successors; Binding Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of you (and your personal representatives and heirs), the
Company, Sun Healthcare, and any organization which succeeds to substantially
all of the business or assets of the Company or Sun Healthcare, whether by means
of merger, consolidation, acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company or Sun Healthcare or otherwise. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable by your personal or legal representatives,
executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees, and
legatees. If you should die while any amount would still be payable to you
hereunder if you had continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise
provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to
your devisee, legatee, or other designee or, if there is no such designee, to
your estate.
10. Definitions. The following capitalized terms shall have the meanings
specified below:
4
(a) "Benefit Continuation Period" means the period commencing on the
date of your Involuntary Termination and ending on the earlier to occur of
(i) the second anniversary of the date of your Involuntary Termination or
(ii) the date that you and your dependents are eligible and elect coverage
under the plans of a subsequent employer which provide substantially
equivalent or greater benefits to you and your dependents than the medical,
dental, health, life, and other fringe benefit plans and arrangements
applicable to you immediately prior to your Involuntary Termination.
(b) "Benefit Date" means the first date you receive any payment under
this Agreement.
(c) "Cause" means a termination of your employment during the Term
which is a result of (i) your felony conviction, (ii) a determination by
the board of directors of the Company or Sun Healthcare that you have
violated any of the protective covenants set forth in Section 7 of this
Agreement or (iii) your continued failure substantially to perform the
duties reasonably requested by the Company (other than any such failure
resulting from your incapacity due to physical or mental illness or any
such actual or anticipated failure resulting from a resignation by you for
Good Reason) after a written demand for substantial performance is
delivered to you by the board of directors of the Company or Sun
Healthcare, which demand specifically identifies the manner in which the
board of directors of the Company or Sun Healthcare believes that you have
not substantially performed your duties, and which performance is not
substantially corrected by you within 10 days of receipt of such demand.
(d) "Confidential Information" means any information not previously
disclosed to the public or to the trade by the management of the Company or
Sun Healthcare with respect to the Company's or Sun Healthcare's products,
facilities, and methods, trade secrets, and other intellectual property,
systems, procedures, manuals, confidential reports, product price lists,
customer lists, financial information (including the revenues, costs, or
profits associated with any of the Company's or Sun Healthcare's products),
business plans, prospects, or opportunities.
(e) "Creditors Committee" means the statutory committee of creditors
appointed in the jointly administered cases filed by Sun Healthcare on
October 14, 1999, with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District
of Delaware pursuant to title 11 of the United States Code.
(f) "Disability" means your inability to engage in substantial gainful
activity by reason of any medically determinable mental or physical
impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or
can be expected to last a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
(g) "Escrow Account" means either an interest bearing escrow account
or a comparable security device acceptable to you.
5
(h) "Good Reason" means a resignation of your employment as a result
of any of the following:
(A) A meaningful and detrimental reduction in your position and
your reporting responsibilities, as in effect immediately prior to
your termination of employment;
(B) a reduction by the Company in your annual base salary as in
effect immediately prior to your termination of employment; a
reduction in your target annual bonus (expressed as a percentage of
base salary) as in effect immediately prior to your termination of
employment; or a failure by the Company to provide you with any other
form of compensation or benefit being provided to you immediately
prior to your termination of employment;
(C) any termination of your employment which is not effected
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; or
(D) a material breach by the Company of the provisions of
this Agreement; provided, however, that an event described above in
clause (B) or (D) shall not constitute Good Reason unless it is
communicated by you to the Company in writing and is not corrected
by the Company in a manner which is reasonably satisfactory to you
(including full retroactive correction with respect to any monetary
matter) within 10 days of the Company's receipt of such written notice
from you.
(i) "International Assets" means any of the assets of the
International Division of Sun Healthcare.
(j) "Involuntary Termination" means (i) your termination of employment
by the Company or its affiliates other than for Cause or Disability or (ii)
your resignation of employment with the Company and its subsidiaries during
the Term for Good Reason; provided, that Involuntary Termination shall not
include any termination of your employment if you, directly or indirectly,
with or without the participation of any other person, purchase any of the
International Assets.
(k) "Mitigation Election" means the election of the Company, exercised
by giving written notice to you, to apply the procedures governing payment
of severance specified in subsection 4(a).
(l) "Monthly Severance Payment" means one-twelfth of any amount in the
Escrow Account remaining after the withdrawal by the Company referred to in
Section 4(a), minus the amount of any salary earned by you during such
month, plus interest applicable to the Monthly Severance Amount, net of all
applicable withholding taxes.
6
(m) "Non-compete Election" means the election of the Company,
exercised by giving written notice to you, to apply the procedures
governing payment of severance specified in subsection 4(b).
(n) "Prior Severance Agreement" means that certain severance
agreement, dated January 2, 1997, between Sun Healthcare and you.
(o) "Restricted Period" means two years after termination of your
employment for any reason.
(p) "Sale Date" means the date the last of the International Assets
have been sold.
(q) "Sun Healthcare" means Sun Healthcare Group, Inc. and its domestic
subsidiaries and affiliates.
11. Notices. For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other
communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States
registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:
If to the Company:
Sun Healthcare Group International, Inc.
000 Xxx Xxxxxx, XX
Xxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
If to Sun Healthcare:
Sun Healthcare Group, Inc.
000 Xxx Xxxxxx, XX
Xxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: General Counsel
If to the Creditors Committee:
Official Creditors' Committee of Sun Healthcare Group, Inc. et al.
x/x Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxx.
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
or to such other address as such person may have furnished to the others in
writing in accordance herewith, except that notice of change of address shall be
effective only upon receipt.
12. Miscellaneous.
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(a) Amendments, Waivers, Etc. No provision of this Agreement may be
modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or
discharge is agreed to in writing. No waiver by either party hereto at any
time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any
condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other
party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or
conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or
representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the
subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not
expressly set forth in this Agreement and, except as provided herein, this
Agreement shall supersede all prior agreements, negotiations,
correspondence, undertakings and communications of the parties, oral or
written, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(b) Survival. This Agreement shall survive the entry of an order
confirming a chapter 11 plan of reorganization for the Company.
(c) Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of
this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
(d) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of
which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
(e) Withholding. Amounts paid to you hereunder shall be subject to all
applicable federal, state and local withholding taxes.
(f) Source of Payments. All payments provided under this Agreement
shall be paid in cash from the general funds of the Company, and no special
or separate fund shall be established, and no other segregation of assets
made, to assure payment. You will have no right, title or interest
whatsoever in or to any investments which the Company may make to aid it in
meeting its obligations hereunder. To the extent that any person acquires a
right to receive payments from the Company hereunder, such right shall be
no greater than the right of an unsecured creditor of the Company.
(g) Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are intended
solely for convenience of reference and shall not affect the rights of the
parties to this Agreement.
(h) Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement
and understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the matters covered
hereby and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings of the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(i) Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction, and
performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
New Mexico applicable to contracts entered into and performed in such
State.
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* * *
If this letter sets forth our agreement on the subject matter hereof,
kindly sign and return to the Company the enclosed copy of this letter which
will then constitute our agreement on this subject.
Sincerely,
SUN HEALTHCARE SUN HEALTHCARE
GROUP UK LIMITED (Europe) B. V.
/s/ Xxxxxx XxXxxxxx 7/31/00 /s/ Xxxxxx XxXxxxxx 7/31/00
__________________________________ __________________________________
Signature Date Signature Date
Director Director
__________________________________ __________________________________
Title Title
Agreed to as of this 3rd day of August, 2000.
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
___________________________________
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
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