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Commitments and Contingencies
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2018
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

11.

Commitments and Contingencies

Self-Insurance.  The Partnership is self-insured for general and product, workers’ compensation and automobile liabilities up to predetermined thresholds above which third party insurance applies. As of June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, the Partnership had accrued insurance liabilities of $71,303 and $68,581, 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 $19,916 and $18,626 as of June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017.

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. In this regard, the Partnership’s natural gas and electricity business is currently a defendant in two putative class action suits in New York and Pennsylvania. The complaints allege a number of claims regarding pricing to its electricity customers in those states under various consumer statutes and common law. Based on the nature of the allegations under these suits, the Partnership believes that the suits are without merit and is contesting each of these suits vigorously.  With respect to these pending suits, based on the merits of the allegations, a liability for a loss contingency is not required at this time.  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.