Contingencies | 11. Contingencies The Company is party to outstanding legal proceedings, investigations and claims, as previously described in (i) Part I, Item 3, “Legal Proceedings,” of the 2014 Form 10-K and (ii) note 15 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements filed with the 2014 Form 10-K. The Company believes that it is unlikely that the outcome of any of these matters will have a material adverse effect on it and its subsidiaries as a whole, notwithstanding that the unfavorable resolution of any matter may have a material effect on the Company’s net earnings (if any) in any particular quarter. However, the Company cannot predict with any certainty the final outcome of any of these legal proceedings, investigations (including any settlement discussions with the government seeking to resolve such investigations) or claims, and there can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of any such matters will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. We record accruals for certain outstanding legal proceedings, investigations or claims when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. We evaluate, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal proceedings, investigations and claims that could affect the amount of any accrual, as well as any developments that would make a loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. When a loss contingency is not both probable and reasonably estimable, we do not accrue the loss. However, if the loss (or an additional loss in excess of the accrual) is at least a reasonable possibility and material, then we disclose a reasonable estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, if such reasonable estimate can be made. If we cannot make a reasonable estimate of the possible loss, or range of loss, then that is disclosed. In addition to the matters described in the paragraphs below and in the 2014 Form 10-K, in the normal course of its business, the Company is involved in various lawsuits from time to time and may be subject to certain other contingencies. To the extent losses related to these contingencies are both probable and reasonably estimable, the Company accrues appropriate amounts in the accompanying financial statements and provides disclosures as to the possible range of loss in excess of the amount accrued, if such range is reasonably estimable. The Company believes losses with respect to these additional matters are individually and collectively immaterial as to a possible loss and range of loss. Matters Related to the Audit Committee’s Review and the Restatement of Certain of our Consolidated Financial Statements. Audit Committee Review In July 2013, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors began conducting an independent review, with the assistance of outside professionals, of certain accounting matters. This review resulted in a restatement of our previously filed consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 and the quarter ended March 31, 2013, as well as the restatement of certain financial information for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. This restatement, which we completed and filed in March 2014, is referred to herein as the “Original Restatement.” In connection with the Company’s preparation of its consolidated interim quarterly financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, the Company determined that certain entries with respect to the previously filed financial statements contained in the filings containing the Original Restatement were not properly accounted for under U.S. GAAP. As a result, the Company determined in August 2014 to restate its previously filed consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 and quarterly reporting periods contained within the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, as well as the quarter ended March 31, 2014. This restatement, which we completed in March 2015, is referred to herein as the “Further Restatement.” SEC Investigation In connection with the initiation of the Audit Committee’s independent review, we initiated contact with the staff of the Division of Enforcement of the SEC (the “SEC Enforcement Staff”) in July 2013 to advise them of these matters. The Audit Committee and the Company, through respective counsel, have been in direct communication with the SEC Enforcement Staff regarding these matters. The SEC is conducting a formal investigation of these matters, and both the Company and the Audit Committee are cooperating fully with the SEC. In connection with the above-referenced communications, the Company has received requests from the SEC for documents and other information concerning various accounting practices, internal controls and business practices, and other related matters. Such requests cover the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, and in some instances, prior periods. It is anticipated that we may receive additional requests from the SEC in the future, including with respect to the Further Restatement. We have previously provided notice concerning our communications with the SEC to the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS-OIG”) pursuant to our corporate integrity agreement with HHS-OIG. We cannot predict if, when or how this matter will be resolved or what, if any, actions we may be required to take as part of any resolution of these matters. Any action by the SEC, HHS-OIG or other governmental agency could result in civil or criminal sanctions against us and/or certain of our current and former officers, directors and employees. At this stage in the matter, we cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss, or range of loss, in connection with it. Securities Class Action Complaint On August 14, 2013, a securities class action complaint against the Company, previously styled Tejinder Singh v. Orthofix International N.V., et al., and which is now styled Plumbers & Pipefitters National Pension Fund v. Orthofix International N.V., et al., was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York arising out of the then anticipated restatement of our prior financial statements and the matters described above. Since the date of original filing, the complaint has been amended. The lead plaintiff’s complaint, as amended, purports to bring claims on behalf of persons who purchased the Company’s common stock between March 2, 2010 and July 29, 2013. The complaint asserts that the Company and four of its former executive officers, Alan W. Milinazzo, Robert S. Vaters, Brian McCollum, and Emily V. Buxton (collectively, the “Individual Defendants”), violated Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b-5 (“Rule 10b-5”) by making false or misleading statements in or relating to the Company’s financial statements. The complaint further asserts that the Individual Defendants were liable as control persons under Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act for any violation by the Company of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act or Rule 10b-5. As relief, the complaint requests compensatory damages on behalf of the proposed class and lead plaintiff’s attorneys’ fees and costs. On March 6, 2015, the court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss as to Mr. Milinazzo and denied it with respect to the Company and the other Individual Defendants. On October 22, 2015, following negotiations facilitated by an independent mediator, the Company, the remaining Individual Defendants and their insurers reached an agreement in principle with the plaintiff, individually and on behalf of the class it purports to represent, to settle and release all claims with respect to this matter subject to final court approval. Under the terms of the agreement in principle, the Company, through its insurers, would make a payment to the plaintiff, and the class it purports to represent, to resolve all claims related to the matter, including any claims for plaintiff counsel’s fees and expenses. The Company has previously incurred and expensed fees and expenses in connection with this matter up to and exceeding its insurance policy deductible; as a result, the Company expects that the full amount of the settlement payment will be covered by and paid by its insurers. The parties have notified the court of the settlement in principle, and are currently drafting definitive documentation to memorialize all of the terms of the agreement in principle. The parties currently expect that the settlement documentation will be presented to the court for its review in late November 2015 or early December 2015. The Company has accrued both the amount of the settlement payment under the agreement in principle, and a corresponding insurance receivable from its insurers, with respect to these matters. However, there can be no assurance that the parties will agree on final documentation, or that the terms of the settlement will be approved by the court as proposed by the parties. In the event that the settlement were not finalized and approved on the terms agreed in principle, we cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss, or range of loss, to the Company in connection with this matter. Deferred Prosecution Agreement and Review of Potential Improper Payments Involving Brazil Subsidiary In 2012, the Company entered into definitive agreements with the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) and the SEC agreeing to settle a self-initiated and self-reported internal investigation of our Mexican subsidiary, Promeca S.A. de C.V. (“Promeca”), regarding non-compliance by Promeca with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”). As part of the settlement, we entered into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement (“DPA”) with the DOJ and a consent to final judgment (the “Consent”) with the SEC. In August 2013, the Company’s internal legal department was notified of certain allegations involving potential improper payments with respect to its Brazilian subsidiary, Orthofix do Brasil Ltda. The Company engaged outside counsel to assist in the review of these matters, focusing on compliance with applicable anti-bribery laws, including the FCPA. Consistent with the provisions of these agreements, the Company contacted the DOJ and the SEC in August 2013 to voluntarily self-report the Brazil-related allegations. On June 15, 2015, the Company and the DOJ agreed to extend the term of the DPA for two months (through September 17, 2015) to permit the DOJ additional time to evaluate the Company’s compliance with the internal controls and compliance undertakings in the DPA and to further investigate the Brazil-related allegations. On September 17, 2015, the DOJ extended the term of the DPA for an additional ten months (through July 17, 2016), stating that the Company’s efforts to comply with the internal controls and compliance requirements of the DPA during the first eighteen months of the DPA were insufficient. The Company and its counsel remain in contact with both agencies regarding the status of the review and cannot reasonably estimate any possible loss, or range of loss, in connection with the review, including any effects it may have with respect to the DPA and Consent. Matters Related to the Company’s Former Breg Subsidiary and Possible Indemnification Obligations On May 24, 2012, we sold Breg to an affiliate of Water Street Healthcare Partners II, L.P. (“Water Street”) pursuant to a stock purchase agreement (the “Breg SPA”). Under the terms of the Breg SPA, upon closing of the sale, the Company and its subsidiary, Orthofix Holdings, Inc., agreed to indemnify Water Street and Breg with respect to certain specified matters, including the following: · Breg was engaged in the manufacturing and sale of local infusion pumps for pain management from 1999 to 2008. Since 2008, numerous product liability cases have been filed in the United States alleging that the local anesthetic, when dispensed by such infusion pumps inside a joint, causes a rare arthritic condition called “chondrolysis.” The Company has incurred losses for settlements and judgments in connection with these matters during 2015 and 2014 of $0.3 million and $3.8 million, respectively. In addition, several cases remain outstanding for which the Company currently cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss, or range of loss. At the time of its divestiture, Breg was currently and had been engaged in the manufacturing and sales of motorized cold therapy units used to reduce pain and swelling. Several domestic product liability cases have been filed in recent years, mostly in California state court, alleging the use of cold therapy causes skin and/or nerve injury and seeking damages on behalf of individual plaintiffs who were allegedly injured by such units or who would not have purchased the units had they known they could be injured. In September 2014, the Company entered into a master settlement agreement resolving all pending pre-close claims. Pursuant to the terms of the settlement agreement, the Company paid approximately $ 1.3 million, and additional amounts owed under the settlement were paid directly by the Company’s insurance providers. These amounts paid by the Company were recorded as an expense in discontinued operations during the quarter ended June 30, 2014. Remaining cold therapy claims include a putative consumer class of individuals who did not suffer physical harm following use of the devices, and an appeal of an adverse July 2012 California jury verdict and a post-close cold therapy claim pending in California state court. As of September 30, 2015, we have an accrual of $5.7 million for the July 2012 verdict and post-close cold therapy liabilities; however, the actual liability could be higher or lower than the amount accrued. The putative class action is at an early stage and the Company currently cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss, or range of loss. |