| SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION | ||
Washington, D.C. 20549 | ||
FORM 8-K | ||
CURRENT REPORT | ||
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the | ||
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | ||
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 19, 2004 (October 19, 2004) | ||
National HealthCare Corporation | ||
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) | ||
Delaware | 333-37185 | 52-2057472 |
(State of Incorporation) | (Commission File No.) | (IRS Employer |
Identification Number) | ||
100 Vine Street | ||
Murfreesboro, TN 37130 | ||
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code) | ||
(615) 890-2020 | ||
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code) | ||
Not Applicable | ||
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report) | ||
Item 8.01. Other Events.
On October 19, 2004, National HealthCare Corporation announced that it had settled 28 of the 32 lawsuits filed against the company as a result of the September 25, 2003 fire at one of its subsidiaries. No additional lawsuits are expected related to this event. A copy of the press release is furnished as an exhibit to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| National HealthCare Corporation | |
| By:/s/ Robert G. Adams | |
| Name: Robert G. Adams | |
| Title: President | |
| By:/s/ Donald K. Daniel | |
| Name: Donald K. Daniel | |
| Title: Principal Accounting Officer | |
| Date: October 19, 2004 |
Exhibit Index
| Number | Exhibit |
| 99 | Press release, dated October 19, 2004 |
EXHIBIT 99
For release: October 19, 2004
Contact: Gerald Coggin, Senior VP of Corporate Relations
Phone: (615) 890-2020
NHC settles lawsuits
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- National HealthCare Corporation (AMEX: NHC), one of the nation's oldest long-term health care companies, announced today that it has settled 28 of the 32 lawsuits filed against the company as a result of the September 25, 2003 fire at one of its subsidiaries. No additional lawsuits are expected related to this event.
Consistent with generally accepted accounting principles, the company will continue its policy to accrue for probable and estimated losses related to the Nashville fire and to include its estimates of these losses in accrued risk reserves in the consolidated balance sheet. NHC believes that it is adequately reserved to cover the settlements and future claims related to the Nashville fire.
NHC operates for itself and third parties 74 long-term health care centers with 9,214 beds. NHC also operates 32 homecare programs, six independent living centers and assisted living centers at 20 locations. NHC's other services include managed care specialty medical units, Alzheimer's units and a rehabilitation services company. Other information about the company can be found on our web site at www.NHCcare.com.
Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. NHC cautions investors that any forward-looking statements made involve risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. All forward-looking statements represent NHC's best judgment as of the date of this release.
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