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Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Contingencies

11. Contingencies

The Company is party to outstanding legal proceedings, investigations and claims, as described in (i) Part I, Item 3, “Legal Proceedings,” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 (the “2014 Form 10-K”) and (ii) note 15 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements filed with the 2014 Form 10-K. The Company believes that it is unlikely that the outcome of each of these matters will have a material adverse effect on it and its subsidiaries as a whole, notwithstanding that the unfavorable resolution of any matter may have a material effect on the Company’s net earnings (if any) in any particular quarter. However, the Company cannot predict with any certainty the final outcome of any of these legal proceedings, investigations (including any settlement discussions with the government seeking to resolve such investigations) or claims, and there can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of any such matters will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

The Company records accruals for certain outstanding legal proceedings, investigations or claims when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company evaluates, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal proceedings, investigations and claims that could affect the amount of any accrual, as well as any developments that would make a loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. When a loss contingency is not both probable and reasonably estimable, the Company does not accrue the loss. However, if the loss (or an additional loss in excess of the accrual) is at least a reasonable possibility and material, then the Company discloses a reasonable estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, if such reasonable estimate can be made. If the Company cannot make a reasonable estimate of the possible loss, or range of loss, then that is disclosed.

The assessments of whether a loss is probable or a reasonable possibility, and whether the loss or range of loss is reasonably estimable, often involve a series of complex judgments about future events. Among the factors that the Company considers in this assessment are the nature of existing legal proceedings, investigations and claims, the asserted or possible damages or loss contingency (if reasonably estimable), the progress of the matter, existing law and precedent, the opinions or views of legal counsel and other advisers, the involvement of the U.S. Government and its agencies in such proceedings, the Company’s experience in similar matters and the experience of other companies, the facts available to the Company at the time of assessment, and how the Company intends to respond, or has responded, to the proceeding, investigation or claim. The Company’s assessment of these factors may change over time as individual proceedings, investigations or claims progress. For matters where the Company is not currently able to reasonably estimate the range of reasonably possible loss, the factors that have contributed to this determination include the following: (i) the damages sought are indeterminate, or an investigation has not manifested itself in a filed civil or criminal complaint, (ii) the matters are in the early stages, (iii) the matters involve novel or unsettled legal theories or a large or uncertain number of actual or potential cases or parties, and/or (iv) discussions with the government or other parties in matters that may be expected ultimately to be resolved through negotiation and settlement have not reached the point where the Company believes a reasonable estimate of loss, or range of loss, can be made. In such instances, the Company believes that there is considerable uncertainty regarding the timing or ultimate resolution of such matters, including a possible eventual loss, fine, penalty or business impact, if any.

In addition, the Company does not accrue for estimated legal fees and other directly related costs as they are expensed as incurred.

In addition to the matters described in the 2014 Form 10-K, in the normal course of its business, the Company is involved in various lawsuits from time to time and may be subject to certain other contingencies. To the extent losses related to these contingencies are both probable and reasonably estimable, the Company accrues appropriate amounts in the accompanying financial statements and provides disclosures as to the possible range of loss in excess of the amount accrued, if such range is reasonably estimable. The Company believes losses are individually and collectively immaterial as to a possible loss and range of loss.

The following information supplements and amends, as applicable, the disclosures Part I, Item 3, “Legal Proceedings,” of the 2014 Form 10-K and note 15 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements filed with the 2014 Form 10-K:

Securities Class Action Complaint

The securities class action matter against the Company in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (No.:1:13-cv-05696-JGK), previously styled Tejinder Singh v. Orthofix International N.V., et al., is now styled Plumbers & Pipefitters National Pension Fund v. Orthofix International N.V., et al.