Commitments and Contingencies

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

Like most companies, Hillenbrand is involved from time to time in claims, lawsuits, and government proceedings relating to its operations, including environmental, patent infringement, business practices, commercial transactions, product and general liability, workers’ compensation, auto liability, employment, and other matters.  The ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty.  An estimated loss from these contingencies is recognized when the Company believes it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated; however, it is difficult to measure the actual loss that might be incurred related to these matters.  If a loss is not considered probable and/or cannot be reasonably estimated, the Company is required to make a disclosure if there is at least a reasonable possibility that a significant loss may have been incurred.  Legal fees associated with claims and lawsuits are generally expensed as incurred.

Claims covered by insurance have in most instances deductibles and self-funded retentions up to $0.5 per occurrence or per claim, depending upon the type of coverage and policy period.  For auto, workers compensation, and general liability, outside insurance companies and third-party claims administrators generally assist in establishing individual claim reserves. An independent outside actuary provides estimates of ultimate projected losses, including incurred but not reported claims, which are used to establish reserves for losses.  For all other types of claims, reserves are established based upon advice from internal and external counsel and historical settlement information for claims when such amounts are considered probable of payment.

The recorded amounts represent the best estimate of the costs that the Company will incur in relation to such exposures, but it is possible that actual costs will differ from those estimates.