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Commitments and Contingencies
6 Months Ended
Feb. 29, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
In the normal course of business, we are subject to the effects of certain contractual stipulations, events, transactions, and laws and regulations that may, at times, require the recognition of liabilities, such as those related to self-insurance estimated liabilities and claims, legal and contractual issues, environmental laws and regulations, guarantees, and indemnities. We establish estimated liabilities when the associated costs related to uncertainties or guarantees become probable and can be reasonably estimated. For the period ended February 29, 2024, no material changes have occurred in our estimated liabilities for self-insurance, litigation, environmental matters, guarantees and indemnities, or relevant events and circumstances, from those disclosed in the Commitments and Contingencies footnote of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements within our Form 10-K other than the items discussed below.
Product Warranty and Recall Costs
Our products generally have a standard warranty term of five years that assure our products comply with agreed upon specifications. We record an accrual for the estimated amount of future warranty costs in accordance with ASC Topic 450, Contingencies (“ASC 450”) when the related revenue is recognized. Estimated future warranty and recall costs are primarily based on historical experience of identified warranty and recall claims. Estimated costs related to product warranty and recall costs outside of our historical experience, which could include significant product recalls or formal campaigns soliciting repair or return of a product, are accrued when they are deemed to be probable and can be reasonably estimated. Any estimated or actual loss recoveries that offset our costs and payments are reflected as assets and included within Other current assets or Other long-term assets based on the timing of receipt of recovery. Recoveries are recorded net of allowances for credit losses.
There can be no assurance that future warranty or recall costs will not exceed historical amounts, new technology products may not generate unexpected costs, and/or loss recoveries will not be fully collectible. If actual future warranty or recall costs exceed historical amounts or recoveries are no longer collectible, adjustments to our
accruals and/or receivables may be warranted, which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and cash flows.
Estimated liabilities for product warranty and recall costs are included in Other current liabilities or Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets based upon when we expect to settle the incurred warranty. The following table summarizes changes in the estimated liabilities for product warranty and recall costs during the periods presented (in millions):
Six Months Ended
February 29, 2024February 28, 2023
Beginning balance$31.6 $27.3 
Warranty and recall costs28.7 19.1 
Payments and other deductions(20.2)(18.4)
Ending balance$40.1 $28.0 
Data Security Incidents
On December 14, 2022, a former associate filed a putative class action complaint against the Company in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on behalf of all persons whose personal information was compromised as a result of data security incidents we experienced in October 2020 and/or December 2021. On January 25, 2023, a second putative class action complaint was filed in the same venue by two other former associates.
Both complaints contained similar allegations and claimed that the Company failed to exercise reasonable caution in securing and safeguarding associate information. On that basis, the complaints asserted claims for negligence, breach of contract, breach of implied contract, unjust enrichment, breach of fiduciary duty, invasion of privacy, and breach of confidence. The plaintiffs sought class certification, monetary damages, certain injunctive relief regarding our data-security measures, additional credit-monitoring services, other equitable relief (including disgorgement), attorneys’ fees, costs, and pre- and post-judgment interest.
On December 1, 2023, the parties reached a proposed settlement and release of all claims in the class action and executed a Settlement Agreement and Release, which is pending approval from the State Court of Fulton County, Georgia. The impact of the settlement is not material.
We have received inquiries from, and it is also possible that investigations or other actions may be taken by, state and/or federal agencies regarding the data security incidents and related data privacy matters. For these reasons, we are currently unable to reasonably estimate the possible losses or a range of possible losses resulting from the matters described above. We have insurance, subject to certain terms and conditions, for these types of matters.
Litigation
We are subject to various other legal claims arising in the normal course of business, including patent infringement, employment matters, and product liability claims. Based on information currently available, it is the opinion of management that the ultimate resolution of pending and threatened legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. However, in the event of unexpected future developments, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of any such matters, if unfavorable, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows in future periods. We establish estimated liabilities for legal claims when associated costs become probable and can be reasonably estimated. The actual costs of resolving legal claims may be substantially higher than the amounts accrued for such claims. However, we cannot make a meaningful estimate of actual costs to be incurred that could possibly be higher or lower than the accrued amounts.