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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company is involved in claims from time to time, which arise in the ordinary course of business. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, management establishes an accrued liability for litigation when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. In such cases, there may be exposure to loss in excess of those amounts accrued. The estimated loss, if any, is based upon currently available information and is subject to significant judgment, a variety of assumptions, and known and unknown uncertainties. In the opinion of management, the Company has made adequate provisions for potential liabilities, arising from any such matters, which are included in Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. However, litigation is inherently unpredictable, and the costs and other effects of pending or future litigation, governmental investigations, legal and administrative cases and proceedings (whether civil or criminal), settlements, judgments and investigations, claims, and changes in any such matters, could have a material adverse effect the Company’s business, financial condition, and operating results.

 

On July 13, 2015, a putative class action was filed against the Company in the Federal District Court of New Jersey seeking to obtain declaratory, injunctive and monetary relief for a class of New Jersey consumers based upon alleged violations by the Company of the New Jersey Truth in Customer Contract, Warranty and Notice Act and the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.  The Company brought a motion to partially dismiss the complaint for failure to state a claim, which motion was granted in part and denied in part. The plaintiff has moved to file an amended complaint to re-allege the action dismissed by the Court, which motion is presently pending decision. The Company intends to vigorously defend the action.