LITIGATION

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

LITIGATION

NOTE 11—LITIGATION

Proceedings Arising in Connection with Our Business

From time to time, we are party to various legal actions, regulatory proceedings and claims (some of which may not be fully insured and some of which may allege large damage amounts) arising in connection with our business, including our senior living and office operations. These claims may include, among other things, professional liability and general liability claims, unfair business practices claims, employment claims and regulatory proceedings related to our senior living operations, the risks of which has increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is the opinion of management, except as otherwise set forth in this note, that the disposition of any such actions, investigations and claims that are currently pending will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on us. However, regardless of their merits, we may be forced to expend significant financial resources to defend and resolve these matters. We are unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these actions, investigations and claims, and if management’s assessment of our liability with respect thereto is incorrect, such actions, investigations and claims could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

Proceedings against Tenants, Operators and Managers

From time to time, Atria, Sunrise, Brookdale Senior Living, Ardent, Kindred and our other tenants, operators and managers are parties to certain legal actions, regulatory proceedings and claims arising in the conduct of their business and operations, the risk of which has increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In other circumstances, regardless of whether we are a named party in the legal actions, regulatory proceedings or claims, we may be contractually obligated to indemnify, defend and hold harmless our tenants, operators and managers against such actions, proceedings or claims. The unfavorable resolution of any such actions, proceedings or claims could, individually or in the aggregate, materially adversely affect our or such tenants’, operators’ or managers’ liquidity, financial condition or results of operations and their ability to satisfy their respective obligations to us, which, in turn, could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.

Proceedings Indemnified and Defended by Third Parties

From time to time, we are party to certain legal actions, regulatory proceedings and claims for which our tenants, operators, managers and other third parties are contractually obligated to indemnify, defend and hold us harmless in whole or in part. For instance, managers of our senior living communities and tenants of our triple-net leased properties and, in some cases, their affiliates are required by the terms of their management agreements, leases or other agreements with us to indemnify, defend and hold us harmless against certain actions, investigations and claims. In addition, third parties from whom we acquired certain of our assets and, in some cases, their affiliates are required by the terms of the related conveyance documents to indemnify, defend and hold us harmless against certain actions, investigations and claims related to the acquired assets and arising prior to our ownership or related to excluded assets and liabilities. In some cases, a portion of the purchase price consideration is held in escrow for a specified period of time as collateral for these indemnification obligations.

We are presently being defended by certain third parties in these types of matters. We cannot assure you that these third parties will continue to defend us in these matters, that they will have sufficient assets, income and access to financing to enable them to satisfy their defense and indemnification obligations to us or that any purchase price consideration held in escrow will be sufficient to satisfy claims for which we are entitled to indemnification. The unfavorable resolution of any such actions, investigations or claims could, individually or in the aggregate, materially adversely affect our tenants’ or other obligated third parties’ liquidity, financial condition or results of operations and their ability to satisfy their respective obligations to us, which, in turn, could have a Material Adverse Effect on us.