Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/275023
32 Dollar amounts in millions except per share amounts or as otherwise specified The estimated amortization expense for each of the next five years is as follows: 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Estimated amortization expense $ 167 $ 163 $ 162 $ 158 $ 156 NOTE 7 - CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS We are involved in various ongoing proceedings, legal actions and claims arising in the normal course of business, including proceedings related to product, labor and intellectual property, and other matters. The outcomes of these matters will generally not be known for prolonged periods of time. In certain of the legal proceedings, the claimants seek damages, as well as other compensatory and equitable relief, that could result in the payment of significant claims and settlements and/or the imposition of injunctions or other equitable relief. For legal matters for which management has sufficient information to reasonably estimate our future obligations, a liability representing management's best estimate of the probable loss, or the minimum of the range of probable losses when a best estimate within the range is not known, for the resolution of these legal matters is recorded. The estimates are based on consultation with legal counsel, previous settlement experience and settlement strategies. If actual outcomes are less favorable than those projected by management, additional expense may be incurred, which could unfavorably affect future operating results. The Company is currently self-insured for product liability- related claims and expenses. The ultimate cost to us with respect to product liability claims could be materially different than the amount of the current estimates and accruals and could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In 2010 we received a subpoena from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) related to the sales and marketing of the OtisKnee device. The subpoena concerns allegations of violations of federal laws related to sales of a device not cleared by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We continue to discuss the settlement of this matter with the DOJ, but there can be no assurance that we will reach a consensual resolution rather than seeking a resolution through the courts. We have recorded charges totaling $80 related to the above matter, including $47 in the year ended December 31, 2013. In June 2012 we voluntarily recalled our Rejuvenate and ABG II modular-neck hip stems and terminated global distribution of these hip products. We notified healthcare professionals and regulatory bodies of this recall, which was taken due to potential risks associated with fretting and/or corrosion that may lead to adverse local tissue reactions. Product liability lawsuits relating to this voluntary recall have been filed against us. As previously announced, we intend to reimburse implanted patients for reasonable and customary costs of testing and treatment services, including any necessary revision surgeries. We continue to work with the medical community to evaluate the data and further understand this matter and the associated costs. The ultimate total cost with respect to this matter will depend on many factors that are difficult to predict with the information received to date and may vary materially based on the number of and actual costs of patients seeking testing and treatment services, the number of and actual costs of patients requiring revision surgeries, the number of and actual costs to settle lawsuits filed against us, and the amount of third-party insurance recoveries. Based on the information that has been received, the actuarially determined range of probable loss to resolve this matter is estimated to be approximately $790 to $1,235, before third-party insurance recoveries. In the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded charges to earnings of $600 representing the excess of the $790 minimum of the range over the previously recorded reserves. No contingent gain for third-party insurance recoveries was recorded as of December 31, 2013. As noted above, the final outcome of this matter is dependent on many variables that are difficult to predict. The ultimate cost to entirely resolve this matter may be materially different than the amount of the current estimate and accruals and could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In 2010 we filed a lawsuit in federal court against Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (Zimmer), alleging that a Zimmer product infringed three of our patents. In rulings issued in August and September 2013, the trial judge upheld the February 2013 jury verdict in our favor, issued a permanent injunction barring Zimmer from making or selling infringing products, and ordered Zimmer to pay us at least $228. Zimmer is appealing this ruling and the ultimate resolution of this matter may differ materially. Accordingly, we have not recorded a contingent gain related to this matter. For each of the following legal matters the final outcome is dependent on many variables and cannot be predicted. Accordingly, it is not possible at this time for us to estimate any material loss or range of losses. However, the ultimate cost to resolve these matters could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In April 2011 lawsuits brought by Hill-Rom Company, Inc. and affiliated entities (Hill-Rom) against us were filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. The Wisconsin lawsuit was subsequently transferred to the United States District Court in Indiana. The suits allege infringement under United States patent laws with respect to certain patient handling equipment we manufactured and sold and seek damages and permanent injunctions. We have entered into an agreement settling the first lawsuit, with terms as previously disclosed. The second lawsuit involves nine patents related to electrical network communications for hospital beds. The case has been stayed with respect to six of the patents, which are currently under reexamination by the United States Patent Office. With respect to the three remaining patents, Hill-Rom is appealing the trial court's grant of summary judgment in our favor and the ultimate resolution of this particular part of the suit may differ. The ultimate resolution of the entire second suit may have no relation to the resolution of the first suit and cannot be predicted; however, the ultimate result could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.