Litigation And Contingencies (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Litigation And Contingencies

LITIGATION AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company is, from time to time, subject to a variety of litigation and other legal and regulatory proceedings incidental to its business (or the business operations of previously owned entities). These matters primarily involve claims for damages arising out of the use of the Company’s products and services and claims relating to intellectual property matters, employment matters, tax matters, commercial disputes, breach of contract claims, competition and sales and trading practices, environmental matters, personal injury, insurance coverage and acquisition or divestiture-related matters, as well as regulatory subpoenas, requests for information, investigations and enforcement. The Company may also become subject to lawsuits as a result of past or future acquisitions or as a result of liabilities retained from, or representations, warranties or indemnities provided in connection with, divested businesses. Some of these lawsuits include claims for punitive, consequential and/or compensatory damages, as well as injunctive relief.

While Parent maintains general, products, property, workers’ compensation, automobile, cargo, aviation, crime, fiduciary and directors’ and officers’ liability insurance (and has acquired rights under similar policies in connection with certain acquisitions) up to certain limits that cover certain of these claims, this insurance may be insufficient or unavailable to cover such losses. For most insured risks, Parent purchases outside insurance coverage only for severe losses and must establish and maintain reserves with respect to amounts within the self-insured retention. In addition, while the Company believes it is entitled to indemnification from third-parties for some of these claims, these rights may also be insufficient or unavailable to cover such losses.

The Company records a liability in the Combined Financial Statements for loss contingencies when a loss is known or considered probable and the amount 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. If a loss does not meet the known or probable level but is reasonably possible it is disclosed and if the loss or range of loss can be

reasonably estimated, the estimated loss or range of loss is disclosed. The Company’s reserves consist of specific reserves for individual claims and additional amounts for anticipated developments of these claims as well as for incurred but not yet reported claims. The specific reserves for individual known claims are quantified with the assistance of legal counsel and outside risk professionals where appropriate. In addition, outside risk professionals assist in the determination of reserves for incurred but not yet reported claims through evaluation of the Company’s specific loss history, actual claims reported and industry trends among statistical and other factors. The Company’s accrual for legal matters that are probable and estimable was $83 million and $43 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and includes certain estimated costs of settlement, damages and defense. Reserve estimates may be adjusted as additional information regarding a claim becomes known. Because most contingencies are resolved over long periods of time, liabilities may change in the future due to new developments (including litigation developments, the discovery of new facts, changes in legislation and outcomes of similar cases), changes in assumptions or changes in the Company’s strategy. While the Company actively pursues financial recoveries from insurance providers and indemnifying parties, it does not recognize any recoveries until realized or until such time as a sustained pattern of collections is established related to historical matters of a similar nature and magnitude. If the Company’s self-insurance and litigation reserves prove inadequate, it would be required to incur an expense equal to the amount of the loss incurred in excess of the reserves. In view of the uncertainties discussed above and below, the Company could incur charges in excess of current accruals and such charges could have a material, adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated earnings, financial position and/or cash flows.

On October 6, 2015, certain claimants initiated arbitration against Nobel Biocare Services AG (“Nobel”) in the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce in Zurich, Switzerland, based on alleged breaches by Nobel of a 2005 patent transfer and consultancy agreement between the parties and Nobel’s alleged underpayment of royalties related thereto. The arbitral tribunal bifurcated proceedings into a liability phase and a damages phase. Following a hearing, in February 2019 the tribunal issued a partial award with respect to the liability claims, finding for claimants in part and for Nobel in part, while reserving a decision on certain key issues until the damages phase of the proceedings. The tribunal has not yet issued a procedural order or schedule for the damages phase. The Company has recognized a loss reserve for the probable and estimable damages and defense costs related to this matter, which are included within the Company’s accrual for legal matters described above. With respect to any reasonably possible loss in excess of the amount accrued, the Company cannot provide an estimate or estimated range of such loss because the damages phase of the proceeding remains at an early stage, certain key issues remain to be resolved by the tribunal and there are significant factual issues to be resolved.

In addition, the Company’s operations, products and services are subject to environmental laws and regulations, which impose limitations on the discharge of pollutants into the environment, establish standards for the use, generation, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous and nonhazardous wastes and impose end-of-life disposal and take-back programs. Some of the Company’s operations involve the handling, manufacturing, use or sale of substances that are or could be classified as hazardous materials within the meaning of applicable laws. The Company must also comply with various health and safety regulations in both the United States and abroad in connection with the Company’s operations. Compliance with these laws and regulations has not had and, based on current information and the applicable laws and regulations currently in effect, is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position, and the Company does not anticipate material capital expenditures for environmental control facilities. In addition to environmental compliance costs, the Company from time to time incurs costs related to alleged damages associated with past or current waste disposal practices or other hazardous materials handling practices. The Company may also be from time to time party to personal injury or other claims brought by private parties alleging injury due to the presence of, or exposure to, hazardous substances. The Company accrues for losses associated with environmental obligations when probable and reasonably estimable. A receivable for insurance recoveries is recorded when probable.

The Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation will require it to indemnify to the full extent authorized or permitted by law any person made, or threatened to be made a party to any action or proceeding by reason of his or her service as a director or officer of the Company, or by reason of serving at the request of the Company as a director or officer of any other entity, subject to limited exceptions. The Company’s amended and restated by-laws will provide for similar indemnification rights. While Parent maintains insurance for this type of liability, a significant deductible applies to this coverage and any such liability could exceed the amount of the insurance coverage.

As of December 31, 2018, Parent on behalf of the Company, had $76 million of guarantees consisting primarily of outstanding standby letters of credit and bank guarantees. These guarantees have been provided in connection with certain arrangements with vendors, customers, insurance providers, financing counterparties and governmental entities to secure the Company’s obligations and/or performance requirements related to specific transactions. The Company believes that if the obligations under these instruments were triggered, they would not have a material effect on its Combined Financial Statements.