Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies

v3.23.1
Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies
6 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2023
Notes to Financial Statements  
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

 

Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Insurance

 

As of  April 30, 2023 and October 31, 2022, the Company was partially insured for automobile, general and worker's compensation liability. The Company has accrued $6.4 million and $7.0 million, as of  April 30, 2023 and October 31, 2022, respectively, for estimated (1) losses reported and (2) claims incurred but not reported, which is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

The Company offers employee health benefits via a partially self-insured medical benefit plan. Participant claims exceeding certain limits are covered by a stop-loss insurance policy. As of  April 30, 2023 and October 31, 2022, the Company had accrued $0.9 million and $3.3 million, respectively, for estimated health claims incurred but not reported based on historical claims amounts and average lag time. These accruals are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company contracts with a third-party administrator to process claims, remit benefits, etc. The third-party administrator required the Company to maintain a bank account to facilitate the administration of claims. The account balance was $0.2 million as of April 30, 2023 and October 31, 2022, and is included in cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

 

Litigation

 

The Company is currently involved in certain legal proceedings and other disputes with third parties that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that the outcomes of these matters will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements and does not believe that any amounts need to be recorded for contingent liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

 

Letters of credit

 

The ABL Facility provides for up to $10.5 million of standby letters of credit. As of April 30, 2023, total outstanding letters of credit totaled $4.2 million, the vast majority of which had been committed to the Company’s general liability insurance provider.