Legal Proceedings and Other Contingencies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 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 eight employees. GRA and its employees appealed, and on June 20, 2019, the court of appeal of Florence upheld the adverse verdicts, except for the acquittal of one employee and minor reductions to the fine and prison sentences. GRA and its current and former employees intend to appeal to the Italian Supreme Court and, pending the final disposition of this appeal, the fine and penalties are not enforceable. 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 Italian appellate process and thus cannot reasonably estimate the possible amount or range of costs that may be ultimately incurred in connection with this litigation.