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Legal Proceedings and Other Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Legal Proceedings and Other Contingencies
Legal Proceedings and Other Contingencies

Various legal actions, claims, assessments and other contingencies arising in the ordinary course of business are pending against GATX and certain of our subsidiaries. These matters are subject to many uncertainties, and it is possible that some of these matters could ultimately be decided, resolved or settled adversely. For a full discussion of our pending legal matters, please refer to "Note 22. Legal Proceedings and Other Contingencies" of our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Viareggio Derailment

In June 2009, a train consisting of fourteen liquefied petroleum gas (“LPG”) tank cars owned by GATX Rail Austria GmbH and its subsidiaries (collectively, “GRA”) derailed while passing through the City of Viareggio, in the province of Lucca, Italy. Five tank cars overturned and one of the overturned cars was punctured by a peg or obstacle along the side of the track, resulting in a release of LPG, which subsequently ignited. The accident resulted in multiple deaths, personal injuries and property damage. The LPG tank cars were leased to FS Logistica S.p.A., a subsidiary of the Italian state-owned railway, Ferrovie dello Stato S.p.A (the “Italian Railway”).

In January 2017, the trial court of Lucca found various Italian Railway companies, GRA, and certain of their employees guilty of negligence-based crimes related to the accident. The court imposed a fine of 1.4 million Euros against GRA and prison sentences against the employees. GRA and its employees appealed the trial court's decision, and the first appellate level hearings concluded in April, 2019. We anticipate a ruling later this year. In the event of an adverse appellate ruling, GRA would pursue a final appeal to the Supreme Court. The fines and penalties imposed by the trial court would not be enforceable until all appeals are exhausted and final. With respect to civil claims, the insurers for the Italian Railway and GRA have fully settled and resolved most of the claims arising out of the accident. GRA believes that its employees acted diligently and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations; however, we cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the appellate process and thus cannot reasonably estimate the possible amount or range of costs that may be ultimately incurred in connection with this litigation.