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Legal Proceedings | 6 Months Ended
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Jul. 01, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Legal Proceedings | Note 14 – Legal Proceedings In September 2015, Henry Schein, Inc. was served with a summons and complaint in an action commenced in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, entitled SourceOne Dental, Inc. v. Patterson Companies, Inc., Henry Schein, Inc. and Benco Dental Supply Company, Civil Action No. 15-cv-05440-JMA-GRB. Plaintiff alleged that, through its website, it markets and sells dental supplies and equipment to dentists. Plaintiff alleged, among other things, that defendants conspired to eliminate plaintiff as a viable competitor and to exclude plaintiff from the market for the marketing, distribution and sale of dental supplies and equipment in the United States and that defendants unlawfully agreed with one another to boycott dentists, manufacturers and state dental associations that deal with, or considered dealing with, plaintiff. Plaintiff asserted the following claims: (i) unreasonable restraint of trade in violation of state and federal antitrust laws; (ii) tortious interference with prospective business relations; (iii) civil conspiracy; and (iv) aiding and abetting the other defendants’ ongoing tortious and anticompetitive conduct. Plaintiff sought equitable relief, compensatory and treble damages, j ointly and severally, punitive damages, interest, and reasonable costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees and expert fees. On June 27, 2017, we announced that we settled this litigation with SourceOne Dental Inc. The settlement resulted in a $5.325 million pre-tax charge, or $0.04 per share, to our second-quarter 2017 results. We deny any wrongdoing related to the SourceOne litigation and chose to pursue a settlement solely to avoid further distraction and cost resulting from this matter. We have now been dismissed from this litigation with prejudice. Beginning in January 2016, class action complaints were filed against Patterson Companies, Inc., Benco Dental Supply Co. and Henry Schein, Inc. Each of these complaints allege, among other things, that defendants conspired to fix prices, allocate customers and for eclose competitors by boycotting manufacturers, state dental associations and others that deal with defendants’ competitors. Subject to certain exclusions, these classes seek to represent all persons who purchased dental supplies or equipment in the Unite d States directly from any of the defendants or Burkhart Dental Supply Co. since August 31, 2008. Each class action complaint asserts a single count under Section 1 of the Sherman Act, and seeks equitable relief, compensatory and treble damages, jointly a nd severally, and reasonable costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees and expert fees. We intend to defend ourselves vigorously against these actions. From time to time, we may become a party to other legal proceedings, including, without limitation, product liability claims, employment matters, commercial disputes, governmental inquiries and investigations (which may in some cases involve our entering into settlement arrangements or consent decrees), and other matters arising out of the ordinary cou rse of our business. While the results of any legal proceeding cannot be predicted with certainty, in our opinion none of these other pending matters are currently anticipated to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of oper ations. As of July 1, 2017, we had accrued our best estimate of potential losses relating to claims that were probable to result in liability and for which we were able to reasonably estimate a loss. This accrued amount, as well as related expenses, was not material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Our method for determining estimated losses considers currently available facts, presently enacted laws and regulations and other factors, including probable recove ries from third parties.

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