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Commitments and Contingencies
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
We are involved, and expect to continue to be involved, in numerous proceedings arising out of the conduct of our business. These proceedings may include claims for property damage or personal injury incurred in connection with the transportation of freight, environmental liability, commercial disputes, insurance coverage disputes and employment-related claims, including claims involving asserted breaches of employee restrictive covenants.
We establish accruals for specific legal proceedings when it is considered probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. We review and adjust accruals for loss contingencies quarterly and as additional information becomes available. If a loss is not both probable and reasonably estimable, or if an exposure to loss exists in excess of the amount accrued, we assess whether there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss, or additional loss, may have been incurred. If there is a reasonable possibility that a loss, or additional loss, may have been incurred, we disclose the estimate of the possible loss or range of loss if it is material and an estimate can be made, or disclose that such an estimate cannot be made. The determination as to whether a loss can reasonably be considered to be possible or probable is based on our assessment, together with legal counsel, regarding the ultimate outcome of the matter.
We believe that we have adequately accrued for the potential impact of loss contingencies that are probable and reasonably estimable. We do not believe that the ultimate resolution of any matters to which we are presently a party will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. However, the results of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, and an unfavorable resolution of one or more of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Legal costs incurred related to these matters are expensed as incurred.
We carry liability and excess umbrella insurance policies that we deem sufficient to cover potential legal claims arising in the normal course of conducting our operations as a transportation company. In the event we are required to satisfy a legal claim outside the scope of the coverage provided by insurance, our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be negatively impacted.
Insurance Contribution Litigation
In April 2012, Allianz Global Risks US Insurance Company sued eighteen insurance companies in a case captioned Allianz Global Risks US Ins. Co. v. ACE Property & Casualty Ins. Co., et al., Multnomah County Circuit Court (Case No. 1204-04552). Allianz Global Risks US Ins. Co. (“Allianz”) sought contribution on environmental and product liability claims that Allianz agreed to defend and indemnify on behalf of its insured, Daimler Trucks North America (“DTNA”). Defendants had insured Freightliner’s assets, which DTNA acquired in 1981. Con-way, Freightliner’s former parent company, intervened. We acquired Con-way in 2015. Con-way and Freightliner had self-insured under fronting agreements with defendant insurers ACE, Westport, and General. Under those agreements, Con-way agreed to indemnify the fronting carriers for damages assessed under the fronting policies. Con-way’s captive insurer, Centron, was also a named defendant. After a seven-week jury trial in 2014, the jury found that Con-way and the fronting insurers never intended that the insurers defend or indemnify any claims against Freightliner. In June 2015, Allianz appealed to the Oregon Court of Appeals. In May 2019, the Oregon Court of Appeals upheld the jury verdict. In September 2019, Allianz appealed to the Oregon Supreme Court. In March 2021, the Oregon Supreme Court reversed the jury verdict, holding that it was an error to allow the jury to decide how the parties intended the fronting policies to operate, and also holding that the trial court improperly instructed the jury concerning one of the pollution exclusions at issue. In July 2021, the matter was remanded to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with the Oregon Supreme Court’s decision. The trial court recently decided the parties’ cross-motions for summary judgment, leaving open the pollution exclusion and allocation issues. The trial on the pollution exclusion issue is scheduled to take place in the spring of 2024, and the trial on allocation of defense costs among the applicable insurance policies is set for the fall of 2024. We have accrued an immaterial amount for the potential exposure associated with Centron in the bench trial regarding allocation. As any losses that may arise in connection with the fronting policies issued by defendant insurers ACE, Westport, and General are not reasonably estimable at this time, no liability has been accrued in the accompanying interim consolidated financial statements for those potential exposures.
California Environmental MattersIn August 2022, the Company received a letter from the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, written in cooperation with certain other California District Attorneys and the Los Angeles City Attorney, notifying the Company of an investigation into alleged violations with respect to underground storage tanks, hazardous materials, and hazardous waste in California, and offering a meeting. The Company has met with the County attorneys and the Los Angeles City Attorney on multiple occasions. We are assessing the allegations and the underlying facts, and continue to engage with the County and Los Angeles City Attorneys to address the alleged violations. No discussion of potential monetary sanctions or settlement amount has occurred to date, nor can we reasonably estimate potential costs at this time.