Legal and Other Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Legal and other commitments and contingencies

Legal and Other Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is subject to litigation in the normal course of its business. The outcomes of legal proceedings and claims brought against it and other loss contingencies are subject to significant uncertainty. The Company accrues a charge against income when its management determines that it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. In addition, the Company accrues for the authoritative judgments or assertions made against it by government agencies at the time of their rendering regardless of its intent to appeal. In addition, the Company is from time-to-time party to litigation, administrative proceedings and union grievances that arise in the normal course of business, and occasionally pays non-material amounts to resolve claims or alleged violations of regulatory requirements. There are no "normal course" matters that separately or in the aggregate, would, in the opinion of management, have a material adverse effect on its operation, financial condition or cash flow.

In determining the appropriate accounting for loss contingencies, the Company considers the likelihood of loss or impairment of an asset or the incurrence of a liability, as well as its ability to reasonably estimate the amount of potential loss. The Company regularly evaluates current information available to determine whether an accrual should be established or adjusted. Estimating the probability that a loss will occur and estimating the amount of a potential loss or a range of potential loss involves significant estimation and judgment.