OTHER COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Property and Rental Agreements

In March 2014, we signed a lease for offices located in Purchase, New York. In December 2017, we decided to consolidate operations in the Purchase, NY office with the facility in Clearwater, Florida. Based on this, we determined the office in Purchase, NY was no longer necessary and decided to cease all activity at the location. In August 2018, we negotiated a termination of the remainder of the lease, releasing us from any future obligation.

In October 2015, pursuant to our acquisition of Apyx Bulgaria, we are obligated to pay a lease of approximately $6,000 per month, expiring in December 2021, for approximately 20,000 square feet of office, research and manufacturing space in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The following is a schedule of approximate future minimum lease payments under operating leases as of December 31, 2018:



(In thousands)
2019	$	70
2020	70
2021	70
Total	$	210

On August 30, 2018, the Company paid the remaining mortgage balance related to the Clearwater, FL, facility, releasing us from any and all obligations to the Bank of Tampa.

Litigation

The medical device industry is characterized by frequent claims and litigation, and we are and may become subject to various claims, lawsuits and proceedings in the ordinary course of our business, including claims by current or former employees, distributors and competitors, and with respect to our products and product liability claims, lawsuits and proceedings.

We are involved in a number of legal actions relating to the use of our J-Plasma technology. The outcomes of these legal actions are not within our complete control and may not be known for prolonged periods of time. In the opinion of management, the Company has meritorious defenses, and such claims are adequately covered by insurance, or are not expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a material, adverse effect on our financial condition. However, in the event that damages exceed the aggregate coverage limits of our policy or if our insurance carriers disclaim coverage, we believe it is possible that costs associated with these claims could have a material adverse impact on our consolidated earnings, financial position or cash flows.

In accordance with authoritative guidance, we record a liability in our consolidated financial statements for these actions when a loss is known or considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If the reasonable estimate of a known or probable loss is a range, and no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other, the minimum amount of the range is accrued. If a loss is reasonably possible, but not known or probable, and can be reasonably estimated, the estimated loss or range of loss is disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. In most cases, significant judgment is required to estimate the amount and timing of a loss to be recorded.

Purchase Commitments

At December 31, 2018, we had purchase commitments for inventories totaling approximately $3.0 million, substantially all of which is expected to be purchased by the end of 2019.

Severance

Jay D. Ewers, the Chief Financial Officer, resigned as an officer of the Company effective December 31, 2018, although he continued on as an employee during the first quarter of 2019. In connection with this departure, the Company and Mr. Ewers entered into a separation agreement, dated November 12, 2018. Severance costs incurred included salary, option expense and other benefits of approximately $741,000 and will be included in operational cash outflows during 2019.

Jack McCarthy, the Chief Commercialization Officer, was terminated without cause from his position with the Company effective November 6, 2017. Severance costs incurred included salary, option expense and other benefits of approximately $582,000, of which approximately $397,000 was included in operational cash outflows during 2018.

Robert L. Gershon, the Chief Executive Officer and a director, resigned from all of his positions with the Company effective

December 15, 2017. In connection with this departure, the Company and Mr. Gershon entered into a separation agreement, dated December 15, 2017. Severance costs incurred included salary, option expense and other benefits of approximately $767,000, of which approximately $670,000 was included in operational cash outflows during 2018.