Other Operating Expenses

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Other Operating Expenses [Abstract]

Other Operating Expenses

15.  Other Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses comprise (in thousands):

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Litigation settlement of VITAS segment (a)	$	10,500	$	-	$	10,500	$	-
Settlements of Roto-Rooter segment (b)		961		-		15,721		-
Severance and other operating costs related
to closing Roto-Rooter's HVAC business		-		1,126		-		1,126
Total other operating expenses	$	11,461	$	1,126	$	26,221	$	1,126

(a) Santos claims discussed in Note 10.

(b) Morganelli claims discussed in Note 10 and estimated cost of certain customer claims currently under negotiation.