Chapter 5, Problem 9QAP

Several months ago, Ayers Industries Inc. experienced a hazardous materials spill at one of its plants. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fined the company $240,000. The company is contesting the fine. In addition, an employee is seeking $220,000in damages related to the spill. Finally, a homeowner has sued the company for $310,000. The homeowner lives 35 miles from the plant but believes that the incident has reduced the home’s resale value by $310,000. Ayers’ legal counsel believes that it is probable that the EPA fine will stand. In addition, counsel indicates that an out-of-court settlement of $125,000 has recently been reached with the employee. The final papers will be signed next week. Counsel believes that the homeowner’s case is much weaker and will be decided in favor of Ayers. Otherlitigation related to the spill is possible, but the damage amounts are uncertain. a. Journalize the contingent liabilities associated with the hazardous materials spill. Use…

Several months ago, Ayers Industries Inc. experienced a hazardous materials spill at one of its plants. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fined the company $276,000. The company is contesting the fine. In addition, an employee is seeking $202,000 in damages related to the spill. Finally, a homeowner has sued the company for $318,000. The homeowner lives 35 miles from the plant but believes that the incident has reduced the home’s resale value by $318,000.Ayers’ legal counsel believes that it is probable that the EPA fine will stand. In addition, counsel indicates that an out-of-court settlement of $130,000 has recently been reached with the employee. The final papers will be signed next week. Counsel believes that the homeowner’s case is much weaker and will be decided in favor of Ayers. Other litigation related to the spill is possible, but the damage amounts are uncertain.Required:a. On December 31, journalize the contingent liabilities associated with the…

Russell Forest Products Limited needed to upgrade a burner at its sawmill in Cochrane, Ontario, to comply with the new air pollution standards. The new burner, which is used to burn the scrap wood from its sawing operations, will not only reduce the amount of pollution, but will supply heat for the plant facility, including the wood dryer. In order to encourage Russell Forest Products Limited in its compliance with the stan- dards, the Province of Ontario extended an interest-free loan of $400,000 on December 31, 2011. The only conditions in obtaining the interest-free loan are that the loan proceeds be applied directly to the construction costs and that the loan be repaid in full on December 31, 2019. RussellForest Products Limited borrowed the remaining funds from the bank for the construction of the burner and will be paying interest at the rate of 7% per year. Instructions (a) Discuss the issues related to obtaining the interest-free loan from the Province of Ontario. (b)…

A fertilizer manufacturing company wants to relocate to Yellowstone County. A report from a fired researcher at the company indicates the company’s product is releasing toxic by-products. The company suppressed that report. A later report commissioned by the company shows there is no problem with the fertilizer.Should the company’s chief executive officer reveal the content of the unfavorable report in discussions with Yellowstone County representatives? Discuss.

On February 1, 2021, one of the huge storage tanks of Viking Manufacturing exploded. Windows in houses and other buildings within a one-mile radius of the explosion were severely damaged, and a number of people were injured. As of February 15, 2021 (when the December 31, 2020, financial statements were completed and sent to the publisher for printing and public distribution), no suits had been filed or claims asserted against the company as a consequence of the explosion. The company fully anticipates that suits will be filed and claims asserted for injuries and damages. Because the casualty was uninsured and the company is considered at fault, Viking Manufacturing will have to cover the damages from its own resources. Instructions Discuss fully the accounting treatment and disclosures that should be accorded the casualty and related contingent losses in the financial statements dated December 31, 2020.

AOL, LLC, mistakenly made public the personal information of 650,000 of its members. The members filed a suit in California, alleging violations of federal law and California state law. The member agreement between AOL and its members included a provision declaring Virginia as the location of any court dispute. AOL asked the court to dismiss the suit on the basis of that "forum-selection" clause in its member agreement. Under a previous decision of the United States Supreme Court, a forum-selection clause is unenforceable "if enforcement would contravene a strong public policy of the forum in which suit is brought." California courts previously have declared in other cases that clauses similar to the AOL clause contravene a strong public policy. If the court applies the doctrine of stare decisis, will it dismiss the suit? Explain. [Doe 1 v. AOL LLC, 552 F.3d 1077 (9th Cir. 2009)] (See The Common Law Tradition.)