2.2.0.7 false COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 006110 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES true false false false 1 USD false false u000 Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 u001 Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 u002 Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 $ 2 Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] 0 amn_NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract amn false na duration No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:stringItemType string No definition available. false 3 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 1 us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTextBlock us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 <div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">NOTE 11 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</font></div><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">In April 2004, Sable Offshore Energy Inc. ("Sable"), as agent for certain owners of the Sable Offshore Energy Project, brought an action against various coatings suppliers and application contractors, including the Company and its subsidiary, Ameron B.V., in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, Canada.  Sable seeks damages allegedly sustained by it resulting from performance problems with several coating systems used on the Sable Offshore Energy Project, including coatings products furnished by the Company and Ameron B.V.  All of the co-defendants, other than the Company, Ameron B.V. and an unaffiliated licensee of the Company, have since settled.  Sable's originating notice and statement of claim alleged a claim for damages in an unspecified amount.  Sable later then alleged that its claim for damages against all defendants was approximately 440,000,000 Canadian dollars.  More recently, however, Sable sent the Company a revised claim which included an alternative method for calculating damages.  Although Sable did not specify an aggregate claim amount under its alternative method, that method if adopted would appear to substantially reduce the amount of damages.  Nonetheless, the Company contests any claim amount and is vigorously defending itself on the merits in this action.  This matter is in discovery, and no trial date has yet been established.   Based upon the information available to it at this time, the Company is not able to estimate the possible range of loss with respect to this case.</font></div><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">In the previously disclosed action by Dominion Exploration and Production, Inc. and Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc. against the Company in Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans, Louisiana, a settlement agreement was executed during the second quarter of 2010.  No payment by the Company was required as part of the settlement.  The terms of the settlement did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations in either the second or third quarters and are not expected to have a material effect on its results of operation in the future.  In accordance with the settlement agreement, the case was dismissed pursuant to an order of the court on July 26, 2010.</font></div><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">In July 2004, BP America Production Company (“BP America”) brought an action against the Company in the 24<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 70%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: text-top">th</font> Judicial District Court, Parish of Jefferson, Louisiana in connection with fiberglass pipe sold by the Company for installation in four offshore platforms constructed for BP America.  The plaintiff seeks damages allegedly sustained by it resulting from claimed defects in such pipe.  BP America’s petition as filed alleged a claim against the Company for rescission, products liability, negligence, breach of contract and warranty and for damages in an amount of not less than $20,000,000; but BP America has since reduced its claim to $12,900,000.  The Company contests this amount.  This matter is in discovery, and no trial date has yet been established.  The Company intends to vigorously defend itself in this action.  Based upon the information available to it at this time, the Company is not able to estimate the possible range of loss with respect to this case.</font></div><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">In June 2006, the Cawelo, California Water District (“Cawelo”) brought an action against the Company in the Superior Court, Kern County, California in connection with  concrete pipe sold by the Company in 1995 for a wastewater recovery pipeline in such county.  Cawelo seeks damages allegedly sustained by it resulting from the failure of such pipe in 2004.  Cawelo’s petition as filed alleged a claim against the Company for products liability, negligence, breach of express warranty and breach of written contract and for damages in an amount of not less than $8,000,000, a figure which the Company contests.  This matter is in discovery, and trial is currently scheduled to commence on January 24, 2011.  The Company is vigorously defending itself in this action.  Based upon the information available to it at this time, the Company is not able to estimate the possible range of loss with respect to this case.</font></div><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">In August 2010, Petroleum Polymer Company LLC ("PPC") brought an action against Ameron (Pte) Ltd. ("Ameron Pte"), an indirect subsidiary of the Company, in the Primary Court of Oman.  The complaint alleged that Ameron Pte breached the terms of a purchase agreement for its supply of fiberglass pipe to PPC for use in an oil extraction project in Oman.  PPC's primary allegation is that a component supplied by Ameron Pte failed during testing, resulting in a failure of the pipe system.  PPC asserted damages totaling approximately $20,000,000, including alleged claims for the cost of replacing damaged pipe, recovery of penalties incurred due to the resulting delay in the project, and lost future opportunities.  The first hearing of this matter is scheduled for October 2, 2010.  Ameron Pte contests any claim amount and intends to vigorously defend itself in this action.  Based upon the information available to it at this time, the Company is not able to estimate the possible range of loss with respect to this case.</font></div><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Company is a defendant in a number of asbestos-related personal injury lawsuits.  These cases generally seek unspecified damages for asbestos-related diseases based on alleged exposure to products previously manufactured by the Company and others.  As of August 29, 2010, the Company was a defendant in 15 asbestos-related cases, compared to 17 cases as of August 29, 2010.  During the quarter ended August 29, 2010, there were two new asbestos-related cases, one case dismissed, three cases settled and no judgments or recovery; and expenses totaled $13,000.  In the nine months ended August 29, 2010, the Company incurred expenses of $77,000 and recovered $28,000.  Based upon the information available to it at this time, the Company is not able to estimate the possible range of loss with respect to these cases.</font></div><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">In December 2008, the Company received from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) a Requirement to Furnish Information regarding transactions involving Iran.  The Company has cooperated fully with OFAC on this matter.  With the assistance of outside counsel, the Company conducted an internal inquiry and responded to OFAC.  Based upon the information available to it at this time, the Company is not able to predict the outcome of this matter.  If the Company violated governmental regulations, material fines and penalties could be imposed.</font></div><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Company is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations concerning the environment and is currently participating in administrative proceedings at several sites under these laws. While the Company finds it difficult to estimate with any certainty the total cost of remediation at the several sites, on the basis of currently available information and reserves provided, the Company believes that the outcome of such environmental regulatory proceedings will not have a material effect on the Company's financial position, cash flows, or results of operations.</font></div><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">In addition, certain other claims, suits and complaints that arise in the ordinary course of business have been filed or are pending against the Company.  Management believes that these matters are either adequately reserved, covered by insurance, or would not have a material effect on the Company's financial position, cash flows or results of operations if disposed of unfavorably.</font></div><div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br /></div> NOTE 11 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIESIn April 2004, Sable Offshore Energy Inc. 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