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Contingent Liabilities
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Contingent Liabilities Contingent Liabilities
Except as otherwise noted, while we are unable to predict the final outcome, based on information currently available, we do not believe that resolution of any of the following matters will have a material adverse effect upon our competitive position, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

Environmental. As previously disclosed, the Company's operations are subject to environmental regulation by authorities with jurisdiction over its operations. The Company has accrued for the costs of environmental remediation activities, including, but not limited to, investigatory, remediation, operating and maintenance costs and performance guarantees, and periodically reassesses these amounts. Management believes that the likelihood of incurring losses materially in excess of amounts accrued is remote. The outstanding liability for environmental obligations was $12 million at the quarters ended June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively and is included in Accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Legal Proceedings.

German Tax Litigation

As previously disclosed, we have been involved in administrative review proceedings with the German Tax Office, which concern approximately €215 million (approximately $241 million as of June 30, 2020) of tax benefits that we have claimed related to a 1998 reorganization of the corporate structure of our operations in Germany. Upon audit, these tax benefits were disallowed by the German Tax Office. We estimate interest associated with the aforementioned tax benefits is an additional approximately €118 million (approximately $132 million as of June 30, 2020). On August 3, 2012, a suit was filed in the local German Tax Court (Berlin-Brandenburg). In March 2016, the local German Tax Court dismissed the suit, and we appealed this decision to the German Federal Tax Court. Following a hearing on July 24, 2018, the German Federal Tax Court remanded the matter to the local German Tax Court for further proceedings. In 2015, UTC made tax and interest payments to German tax authorities of €275 million (approximately $300 million) in order to avoid additional interest accruals pending final resolution of this matter. Pursuant to the TMA, the Company retains the liability associated with the remaining interest, and has recorded an interest accrual of €45 million (approximately $50 million as of June 30, 2020), net of payments and other deductions, included within Other long-term liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at June 30, 2020. In the event that UTC and Otis prevail in this matter, any recoveries would be allocated between UTC and the Company pursuant to the terms of the TMA.

Asbestos Matters

As previously disclosed, we have been named as defendants in lawsuits alleging personal injury as a result of exposure to asbestos. While we have never manufactured any asbestos-containing component parts, and no longer incorporate asbestos in any current products, certain of our historical products have contained components manufactured by third parties incorporating asbestos. A substantial majority of these asbestos-related claims have been dismissed without payment or were covered in full or in part by insurance or other forms of indemnity. Additional cases were litigated and settled without any insurance reimbursement. The amounts involved in asbestos related claims were not material individually or in the aggregate as of and for the periods ended June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

The estimated range of total liabilities to resolve all pending and unasserted potential future asbestos claims through 2059 is approximately $24 million to $45 million. Because no amount within the range of estimates is more likely to occur than any other, we have recorded the minimum amount of $24 million, which is principally recorded in Other long-term liabilities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. Amounts are on a pre-tax basis, not discounted, and excludes the Company's legal fees to defend the asbestos claims (which will continue to be expensed as they are incurred). In addition, the Company has an insurance recovery receivable for probable asbestos related recoveries of approximately $5 million, which is included in Other assets on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Other.

As previously disclosed, we have commitments and contingent liabilities related to legal proceedings, self-insurance programs and matters arising out of the normal course of business. We accrue contingencies based on a range of possible outcomes. If no amount within this range is a better estimate than any other, we accrue the minimum amount. While it is not possible to determine the ultimate disposition of each of these claims and whether they will be resolved consistent with our beliefs, we expect that the outcome of such claims, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

As previously disclosed, in certain European countries, claims for overcharges on elevators and escalators related to civil cartel cases have been made, which we have accrued for based on our evaluation of the claims. While it is not possible to determine the ultimate disposition of each of these claims and whether they will be resolved consistent with our beliefs, historical settlement experience of these cases have not been material to the business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations, however the future outcome of these cases cannot be determined.

As previously disclosed, in the ordinary course of business, the Company is also routinely a defendant in, party to or otherwise subject to many pending and threatened legal actions, claims, disputes and proceedings. These matters are often based on alleged violations of contract, product liability, warranty, regulatory, environmental, health and safety, employment, intellectual property, tax and other laws. In some of these proceedings, claims for substantial monetary damages are asserted
against the Company and its subsidiaries and could result in fines, penalties, compensatory or treble damages or non-monetary relief. We do not believe that these matters will have a material adverse effect upon our competitive position, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.