Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

We have been and may from time to time be named as a defendant in legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. These include, but are not limited to, employment-related claims and contractual disputes or claims for personal injury or property damage which occur in connection with the provision of our services and products. A liability is accrued when a loss is both probable and can be reasonably estimated. During 2015, we recorded contingent liabilities in the amount of $8.6 million associated with these claims. After certain settlements in 2016, we had a contingent liability balance of $5.3 million remaining as of December 31, 2017.

In 1998, we entered into employment agreements with our three senior executive officers that provide for deferred compensation benefits. The present value of the long-term liability recorded and fully reserved for the benefits due upon severing the employment of these employees is $8.5 million at December 31, 2017.

We do not maintain any off-balance sheet debt or other similar financing arrangements nor have we formed any special purpose entities for the purpose of maintaining off-balance sheet debt.

Scheduled minimum rental commitments under non-cancellable operating leases at December 31, 2017, consist of the following (in thousands):

2018	$	15,077
2019	10,732
2020	8,233
2021	5,997
2022	4,974
Thereafter	16,247
Total commitments	$	61,260

Operating lease commitments relate primarily to rental of equipment and office space. Rental expense for operating leases, including amounts for short-term leases with nominal future rental commitments, was $20.9 million, $20.3 million and $22.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.