Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	16. Commitments and Contingencies We are involved in various legal proceedings, including product liability, intellectual property, stockholder matters, tax disputes, commercial, employment, governmental proceedings and investigations, and other legal matters that arise in the normal course of our business, including those described below. On a quarterly and annual basis, we review relevant information with respect to loss contingencies and update our accruals, disclosures and estimates of reasonably possible losses or ranges of loss based on such reviews. We establish liabilities for loss contingencies on an undiscounted basis when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. If the reasonable estimate of a known or probable loss is a range, and no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other, the minimum amount of the range is accrued. For matters where a loss is believed to be reasonably possible, but not probable, or if no reasonable estimate of known or probable loss is available, no accrual has been made. We recognize litigation-related charges and gains in Selling, general and administrative expense on our condensed consolidated statement of earnings. The ultimate cost of litigation could be materially different than the amount of the current estimates and accruals and could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. When determining the estimated loss or range of loss, significant judgment is required. Estimates of probable losses resulting from litigation and other contingences are inherently difficult to predict, particularly when the matters are in early procedural stages with incomplete facts or legal discovery, involve unsubstantiated or indeterminate claims for damages, and/or potentially involve penalties, fines or punitive damages. In addition to the matters described herein, we remain subject to the risk of future governmental, regulatory and legal actions. Governmental and regulatory actions may lead to product recalls, injunctions and other restrictions on our operations and monetary sanctions, which may include substantial civil or criminal penalties. Actions involving intellectual property could result in a loss of patent protection or the ability to market products, which could lead to significant sales reductions or cost increases, or otherwise materially affect the results of our operations. During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we recognized $3.3 million and $33.2 million, respectively, of net litigation-related charges. At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, accrued litigation liabilities were $320.9 million and $349.2 million, respectively. These litigation-related charges and accrued liabilities reflect all of our litigation-related contingencies and not just the matters discussed below. Litigation Durom Cup-related claims: On July 22, 2008, we temporarily suspended marketing and distribution of the Durom Cup in the U.S. Subsequently, a number of product liability lawsuits were filed against us in various U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. The plaintiffs seek damages for personal injury, and they generally allege that the Durom Cup contains defects that result in complications and revision of the device. We have settled the majority of these claims in the U.S., but other lawsuits are pending in various foreign jurisdictions and additional claims may be asserted in the future. The majority of claims outside the U.S. are pending in Germany, Netherlands and Italy. We rely on significant estimates in determining the provisions for Durom Cup-related claims, including our estimate of the number of claims that we will receive and the average amount we will pay per claim. The actual number of claims and the actual amount we pay per claim may differ from our estimates. For various reasons, we cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result from Durom Cup-related claims in excess of the losses we have accrued. Although we are vigorously defending these lawsuits, their ultimate resolution is uncertain. We accrued a litigation-related charge in this matter based on an estimate of the reasonably possible loss, as discussed above. Zimmer M/L Taper, M/L Taper with Kinectiv Technology, and Versys Femoral Head-related claims (“Metal Reaction” claims): We are a defendant in a number of product liability lawsuits relating to our M/L Taper and M/L Taper with Kinectiv Technology hip stems, and Versys Femoral Head implants. The plaintiffs seek damages for personal injury, alleging that defects in the products lead to corrosion at the head/stem junction resulting in, among other things, pain, inflammation and revision surgery. The majority of the cases are consolidated in an MDL that was created on October 3, 2018 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (In Re: Zimmer M/L Taper Hip Prosthesis or M/L Taper Hip Prosthesis with Kinectiv Technology and Versys Femoral Head Products Liability Litigation). Other related cases are pending in various state and federal courts, and additional lawsuits are likely to be filed. Although we are vigorously defending these lawsuits, their ultimate resolution is uncertain. We accrued a litigation-related charge in this matter based on an estimate of the reasonably possible loss, as discussed above. Biomet metal-on-metal hip implant claims: Biomet is a defendant in a number of product liability lawsuits relating to metal-on-metal hip implants, most of which involve the M2a-Magnum hip system. Cases were originally consolidated in an MDL in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana (In Re: Biomet M2a Magnum Hip Implant Product Liability Litigation), but the majority of the claims in the U.S. have been settled. Trials may still occur in the future, and although each case will be tried on its particular facts, a verdict and subsequent final judgment for the plaintiff in one or more of these cases could have a substantial impact on our potential liability. Lawsuits are pending in various foreign jurisdictions and additional claims are expected to be asserted. We continue to refine our estimates of the potential liability to resolve the remaining claims and lawsuits. Although we are vigorously defending these lawsuits, their ultimate resolution is uncertain. We accrued a litigation-related charge in this matter based on an estimate of the reasonably possible loss, as discussed above. Regulatory Matters, Government Investigations and Other Matters FDA warning letter: In August 2018, we received a warning letter from the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") related to observed non-conformities with current good manufacturing practice requirements of the Quality System Regulation (21 CFR Part 820) (“QSR”) at our legacy Biomet manufacturing facility in Warsaw, Indiana (this facility is sometimes referred to in this report as the “Warsaw North Campus”). We have provided detailed responses to the FDA as to our corrective actions and will continue to work expeditiously to address the issues identified by the FDA during inspections in Warsaw. As of March 31, 2023, the Warsaw warning letter remained pending. Until the violations cited in the pending warning letter are corrected, we may be subject to additional regulatory action by the FDA, as described more fully below. Additionally, requests for Certificates to Foreign Governments may not be granted and premarket approval applications for Class III devices to which the QSR deviations are reasonably related will not be approved until the violations have been corrected. In addition to responding to the warning letter described above, we are in the process of addressing various FDA Form 483 inspectional observations at certain of our manufacturing facilities, including observations issued by the FDA following an inspection of the Warsaw North Campus in January 2020, which inspection the FDA has classified as Voluntary Action Indicated (“VAI”). The ultimate outcome of these matters is presently uncertain. Among other available regulatory actions, the FDA may impose operating restrictions, including a ceasing of operations, at one or more facilities, enjoining and restraining certain violations of applicable law pertaining to products, seizure of products and assessing civil or criminal penalties against our officers, employees or us. The FDA could also issue a corporate warning letter or a recidivist warning letter or negotiate the entry of a consent decree of permanent injunction with us. The FDA may also recommend prosecution by the U.S. Department of Justice. Any adverse regulatory action, depending on its magnitude, may restrict us from effectively manufacturing, marketing and selling our products and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Other Contingencies Indemnifications: As part of the ZimVie spinoff, we agreed to indemnify ZimVie for certain legal and tax matters. Our responsibilities for legal indemnification are for specifically identified matters and are subject to a maximum amount, which is not significant for us. We have made an accrual based on an estimate of the probable loss for any legal indemnification. For tax matters, our indemnification is related to tax periods prior to the spinoff and any tax liabilities that may be incurred as part of the spinoff. We have maintained accruals based upon an estimate of any possible tax indemnifications. Contractual obligations: We have entered into development, distribution and other contractual arrangements that may result in future payments dependent upon various events such as the achievement of certain product R&D milestones, sales milestones, or, at our discretion, maintenance of exclusive rights to distribute a product. Since there is uncertainty on the timing or whether such payments will have to be made, they have not been recognized on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. These estimated payments could range from $0 to approximately $410 million.

Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

16. Commitments and Contingencies

We are involved in various legal proceedings, including product liability, intellectual property, stockholder matters, tax disputes, commercial, employment, governmental proceedings and investigations, and other legal matters that arise in the normal course of our business, including those described below. On a quarterly and annual basis, we review relevant information with respect to loss contingencies and update our accruals, disclosures and estimates of reasonably possible losses or ranges of loss based on such reviews. We establish liabilities for loss contingencies on an undiscounted basis when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. If the reasonable estimate of a known or probable loss is a range, and no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other, the minimum amount of the range is accrued. For matters where a loss is believed to be reasonably possible, but not probable, or if no reasonable estimate of known or probable loss is available, no accrual has been made. We recognize litigation-related charges and gains in Selling, general and administrative expense on our condensed consolidated statement of earnings. The ultimate cost of litigation could be materially different than the amount of the current estimates and accruals and could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

When determining the estimated loss or range of loss, significant judgment is required. Estimates of probable losses resulting from litigation and other contingences are inherently difficult to predict, particularly when the matters are in early procedural stages with incomplete facts or legal discovery, involve unsubstantiated or indeterminate claims for damages, and/or potentially involve penalties, fines or punitive damages. In addition to the matters described herein, we remain subject to the risk of future governmental, regulatory and legal actions. Governmental and regulatory actions may lead to product recalls, injunctions and other restrictions on our operations and monetary sanctions, which may include substantial civil or criminal penalties. Actions involving intellectual property could result in a loss of patent protection or the ability to market products, which could lead to significant sales reductions or cost increases, or otherwise materially affect the results of our operations.

During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we recognized $3.3 million and $33.2 million, respectively, of net litigation-related charges. At March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, accrued litigation liabilities were $320.9 million and $349.2 million, respectively. These litigation-related charges and accrued liabilities reflect all of our litigation-related contingencies and not just the matters discussed below.

Litigation

Durom Cup-related claims: On July 22, 2008, we temporarily suspended marketing and distribution of the Durom Cup in the U.S. Subsequently, a number of product liability lawsuits were filed against us in various U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. The plaintiffs seek damages for personal injury, and they generally allege that the Durom Cup contains defects that result in complications and revision of the device. We have settled the majority of these claims in the U.S., but other lawsuits are pending in various foreign jurisdictions and additional claims may be asserted in the future. The majority of claims outside the U.S. are pending in Germany, Netherlands and Italy.

We rely on significant estimates in determining the provisions for Durom Cup-related claims, including our estimate of the number of claims that we will receive and the average amount we will pay per claim. The actual number of claims and the actual amount we pay per claim may differ from our estimates. For various reasons, we cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result from Durom Cup-related claims in excess of the losses we have accrued. Although we are vigorously defending these lawsuits, their ultimate resolution is uncertain. We accrued a litigation-related charge in this matter based on an estimate of the reasonably possible loss, as discussed above.

Zimmer M/L Taper, M/L Taper with Kinectiv Technology, and Versys Femoral Head-related claims (“Metal Reaction” claims): We are a defendant in a number of product liability lawsuits relating to our M/L Taper and M/L Taper with Kinectiv Technology hip stems, and Versys Femoral Head implants. The plaintiffs seek damages for personal injury, alleging that defects in the products lead to corrosion at the head/stem junction resulting in, among other things, pain, inflammation and revision surgery.

The majority of the cases are consolidated in an MDL that was created on October 3, 2018 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (In Re: Zimmer M/L Taper Hip Prosthesis or M/L Taper Hip Prosthesis with Kinectiv Technology and Versys Femoral Head Products Liability Litigation). Other related cases are pending in various state and federal courts, and additional lawsuits are likely to be filed. Although we are vigorously defending these lawsuits, their ultimate resolution is uncertain. We accrued a litigation-related charge in this matter based on an estimate of the reasonably possible loss, as discussed above.

Biomet metal-on-metal hip implant claims: Biomet is a defendant in a number of product liability lawsuits relating to metal-on-metal hip implants, most of which involve the M2a-Magnum hip system. Cases were originally consolidated in an MDL in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana (In Re: Biomet M2a Magnum Hip Implant Product Liability Litigation), but the majority of the claims in the U.S. have been settled. Trials may still occur in the future, and although each case will be tried on its particular facts, a verdict and subsequent final judgment for the plaintiff in one or more of these cases could have a substantial impact on our potential liability. Lawsuits are pending in various foreign jurisdictions and additional claims are expected to be asserted. We continue to refine our estimates of the potential liability to resolve the remaining claims and lawsuits. Although we are vigorously defending these lawsuits, their ultimate resolution is uncertain. We accrued a litigation-related charge in this matter based on an estimate of the reasonably possible loss, as discussed above.

Regulatory Matters, Government Investigations and Other Matters

FDA warning letter: In August 2018, we received a warning letter from the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") related to observed non-conformities with current good manufacturing practice requirements of the Quality System Regulation (21 CFR Part 820) (“QSR”) at our legacy Biomet manufacturing facility in Warsaw, Indiana (this facility is sometimes referred to in this report as the “Warsaw North Campus”). We have provided detailed responses to the FDA as to our corrective actions and will continue to work expeditiously to address the issues identified by the FDA during inspections in Warsaw. As of March 31, 2023, the Warsaw warning letter remained pending. Until the violations cited in the pending warning letter are corrected, we may be subject to additional regulatory action by the FDA, as described more fully below. Additionally, requests for Certificates to Foreign Governments may not be granted and premarket approval applications for Class III devices to which the QSR deviations are reasonably related will not be approved until the violations have been corrected. In addition to responding to the warning letter described above, we are in the process of addressing various FDA Form 483 inspectional observations at certain of our manufacturing facilities, including observations issued by the FDA following an inspection of the Warsaw North Campus in January 2020, which inspection the FDA has classified as Voluntary Action Indicated (“VAI”). The ultimate outcome of these matters is presently uncertain. Among other available regulatory actions, the FDA may impose operating restrictions, including a ceasing of operations, at one or more facilities, enjoining and restraining certain violations of applicable law pertaining to products, seizure of products and assessing civil or criminal penalties against our officers, employees or us. The FDA could also issue a corporate warning letter or a recidivist warning letter or negotiate the entry of a consent decree of permanent injunction with us. The FDA may also recommend prosecution by the U.S. Department of Justice. Any adverse regulatory action, depending on its magnitude, may restrict us from effectively manufacturing, marketing and selling our products and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Other Contingencies

Indemnifications: As part of the ZimVie spinoff, we agreed to indemnify ZimVie for certain legal and tax matters. Our responsibilities for legal indemnification are for specifically identified matters and are subject to a maximum amount, which is not significant for us. We have made an accrual based on an estimate of the probable loss for any legal indemnification. For tax matters, our indemnification is related to tax periods prior to the spinoff and any tax liabilities that may be incurred as part of the spinoff. We have maintained accruals based upon an estimate of any possible tax indemnifications.

Contractual obligations: We have entered into development, distribution and other contractual arrangements that may result in future payments dependent upon various events such as the achievement of certain product R&D milestones, sales milestones, or, at our discretion, maintenance of exclusive rights to distribute a product. Since there is uncertainty on the timing or whether such payments will have to be made, they have not been recognized on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. These estimated payments could range from $0 to approximately $410 million.