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. In addition to the specific amounts noted below, where we have recorded loss contingency accruals for the below and other matters, the amounts in aggregate are not material. Legal costs generally are expensed when incurred. For details regarding the Company's outstanding liability for environmental obligations, refer to Note 21 of the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2023 Form 10-K . Legal Proceedings. German Tax Litigation We have been involved in administrative review proceedings with the German Tax Office, which concern approximately €215 million (approximately $231 million as of June 30, 2024) 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 $127 million as of June 30, 2024). In August 2012, a suit was filed in the local German Tax Court (Berlin-Brandenburg). In 2015, our former parent United Technologies Corporation ("UTC"), now RTX Corporation ("RTX"), 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. 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 in July 2018, the German Federal Tax Court remanded the matter to the local German Tax Court for further proceedings. In December 2020, the local German Tax Court ruled against the Company. On January 26, 2021, the Company filed an appeal with the German Federal Tax Court. On February 8, 2022, the Company received the decision of the German Federal Tax Court, in which the Court remanded the case for reconsideration by the local German Tax Court. The local German Tax Court held a hearing on June 12, 2023, and issued a decision in favor of Otis on July 21, 2023. On September 14, 2023, the German tax authorities filed an appeal to the German Federal Tax Court. The German Federal Tax Court is expected to rule on the appeal later in 2024. As a result of the appeal filing, this matter remains contested, and the Company cannot assess the ultimate outcome of this case. Pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement ("TMA") with our former parent, UTC, the Company retains the liability associated with the remaining interest, and has recorded an interest accrual of €45 million (approximately $48 million as of June 30, 2024), net of payments and other deductions, included within Accrued liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2024. If the Company prevails in this matter, any recoveries would be allocated between RTX and the Company pursuant to the terms of the TMA. Asbestos Matters 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, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The estimated range of total liabilities to resolve all pending and unasserted potential future asbestos claims through 2059 is approximately $11 million to $22 million as of June 30, 2024, and approximately $20 million to $43 million as of December 31, 2023. Since no amount within the range of estimates is more likely to occur than any other, we have recorded the minimum amounts of $11 million and $20 million as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, which are principally recorded in Other long-term liabilities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amounts are on a pre-tax basis, not discounted, and exclude 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 $3 million and $5 million as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, which are principally included in Other assets on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Other. 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 has not been material to the business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations. However, the future outcome of these cases cannot be determined. 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. Refer to Note 17 for information about litigation-related settlement costs recognized in the quarter ended June 30, 2024 for certain legal matters that are outside of the ordinary course of business. |