Note 9 - Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2025

Notes to Financial Statements

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

9. Commitments and Contingencies

In the course of its business, the Company is subject to a variety of claims and lawsuits that are inherently subject to many uncertainties regarding the possibility of a loss to the Company. Because litigation outcomes are inherently unpredictable, the Company’s evaluation of legal proceedings often involves a series of complex assessments by management, after consulting with legal counsel, about future events and can rely heavily on estimates and assumptions. The Company carries liability insurance, subject to certain deductibles and policy limits, for such claims as they arise and may from time to time establish reserves for litigation that is considered probable of a loss. The Company does not accrue liabilities when the likelihood that the liability has been incurred is probable, but the amount cannot be reasonably estimated, or when the liability is believed to be only reasonably possible or remote.

In November 2024, the Company settled a dispute related to the terms of the Former CEO's Employment Agreement for approximately $570,000, payable annually over four years beginning in January 2025. The remaining liability of approximately $459,000 is included in other current and long-term liabilities as of March 31, 2025. The settlement does not impact the post-retirement benefit obligations under the Former CEO's Employment Agreement. 

On June 7, 2021, a Summons and Complaint was filed by an employee in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Erie, against Servotronics, Inc., the Servotronics Board of Directors, The Ontario Knife Company and Kenneth D. Trbovich (collectively, the “Defendants”). The Complaint alleges certain violations under the New York Human Rights Law by the Defendants relating to the employee’s employment by the Company as well as intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. The Complaint also alleges certain purported derivative causes of action against all Defendants, including breach of fiduciary duties, fraud and corporate waste. The Complaint seeks monetary damages in an amount not less than $5,000,000 with respect to the direct causes of action and equitable relief with respect to the purported derivative causes of action. The Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the Complaint on August 6, 2021. On January 13, 2022, the Defendants’ motion to dismiss was granted, in part, and denied, in part. This litigation is still in its earliest stages. The Company is insured for such matters in the amount of $3 million with a retention of $250,000 for defense costs. During 2023, the Company met the retention amount, so defense costs are covered by insurance. Additionally, there is an excess coverage policy for $3 million that considers the retention payment from the primary insurance policy as the excess $3 million retention. Based on the information known by the Company as of the date of this filing, the Company does not consider the risk of loss to be probable and is unable to reasonably or accurately estimate the likelihood and amount of any liability that may be realized as a result of this litigation. Accordingly, no loss has been recognized in the accompanying financials statements related to this litigation. The Company is vigorously defending against this litigation.

There are no other legal proceedings currently pending by or against the Company that would have a material adverse effect on the business, cash flow, or earnings of the Company.