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Commitments and Contingencies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Commitments and Contingencies | 10.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES We are obligated under non-terminable operating leases for manufacturing facilities, finished good distribution centers, office space, equipment, vehicles, and land. See Note 17 for disclosures regarding these operating leases. Royalties. As of December 31, 2023, we had entered into a number of agreements to license or acquire rights to certain intellectual property which require us to make royalty payments during the term of the agreements generally based on a percentage of sales. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, total royalty expense approximated $8.6 million, $7.3 million and $7.6 million, respectively, and is recorded in cost of sales on the consolidated statements of income. Minimum contractual commitments under royalty agreements to be paid within twelve months of December 31, 2023 were not significant. See Note 15 for discussion of future royalty commitments related to acquisitions. Litigation. In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in various claims and litigation matters. These proceedings, actions and claims may involve product liability, intellectual property, contract disputes, employment, governmental inquiries or other matters, including those more fully described below. The outcomes of these matters will generally not be known for prolonged periods of time. In certain proceedings, the claimants may 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 our management had 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, 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 estimated by management, additional expense may be incurred, which could unfavorably affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The ultimate cost to us with respect to actions and 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. Shareholder Derivative Action ​ On June 3, 2021, Steffen Maute filed a complaint, derivatively on behalf of Merit, against Merit (as a nominal defendant), our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer, our former President of EMEA and certain of our directors in the United States District Court for the District of Utah (Case No. 2:21-cv-00346-DBP). The derivative complaint alleged that the individual defendants violated their fiduciary duties owed to Merit and were unjustly enriched at the expense of and to the detriment of Merit between February 2019 and October 2019, and sought unspecified damages, costs, and professional fees. Following mediation, the parties negotiated an agreement to settle the dispute, which, among other provisions, provides for the release of all claims against Merit and the other defendants in exchange for Merit’s undertaking to implement certain corporate governance revisions and pay attorneys fees and expenses in the amount of $1.0 million. On February 16, 2023, the court held a hearing and announced approval of the settlement, which has the effect of resolving all claims arising from the litigation. The expense associated with the settlement has been reflected in our financial results reported for the year ended December 31, 2022. ​ SEC Inquiry ​ We have received requests from the Division of Enforcement of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) seeking the voluntary production of information relating to the business activities of Merit’s subsidiary in China, including interactions with hospitals and health care officials in China. We are cooperating with the requests and investigating the matter and, at this time, are unable to predict the scope, timing, significance or outcome of this matter. ​ It is possible that the ultimate resolution of the foregoing matter, or similar matters, if resolved in a manner unfavorable to us, may be materially adverse to our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Legal costs for these matters, such as outside counsel fees and expenses, are charged to expense in the period incurred. ​ ​

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