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Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

12.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments. The Partnership leases certain property, plant and equipment, including portions of the Partnership’s vehicle fleet, for various periods under noncancelable leases.  Rental expense under operating leases was $30,582, $29,171 and $32,737 for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Future minimum rental commitments under noncancelable operating lease agreements as of September 30, 2017 are as follows:

 

Fiscal Year

 

Minimum Lease Payments

 

2018

 

$

22,126

 

2019

 

 

17,971

 

2020

 

 

15,144

 

2021

 

 

11,506

 

2022

 

 

7,282

 

2023 and thereafter

 

 

13,729

 

 

Contingencies

Self-Insurance. As described in Note 2, the Partnership is self-insured for general and product, workers’ compensation and automobile liabilities up to predetermined amounts above which third party insurance applies.  At September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, the Partnership had accrued liabilities of $68,581 and $59,676, respectively, representing the total estimated losses under these self-insurance programs.  For the portion of the estimated liability that exceeds insurance deductibles, the Partnership records an asset within other assets (or prepaid expenses and other current assets, as applicable) related to the amount of the liability expected to be covered by insurance which amounted to $18,626 and $15,524 as of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, respectively.

Legal Matters. The Partnership’s operations are subject to operating hazards and risks normally incidental to handling, storing and delivering combustible liquids such as propane.  The Partnership has been, and will continue to be, a defendant in various legal proceedings and litigation as a result of these operating hazards and risks, and as a result of other aspects of its business.  Although any litigation is inherently uncertain, based on past experience, the information currently available to the Partnership, and the amount of its accrued insurance liabilities, the Partnership does not believe that currently pending or threatened litigation matters, or known claims or known contingent claims, will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial condition or cash flow.