Contingencies: Types of Liabilities

For each of the following scenarios, identify whether the event described is an actual liability, a contingent liability, or not a liability.

(a) Apple Inc. has used the toxic substance, iocaine powder, in its production process. Recently adopted federal regulations require companies to clean up any factory sites contaminated with iocaine. Apple has begun a preliminary investigation into the iocaine contamination at its factory sites.

(b) Banana Corp. financed its warehouse facilities with a long-term mortgage that calls for semiaanual payments of $7,000. The mortgage's current outstanding balance is $98,000.

(c) Orange Company sells computer systems and supplies. It offers its customers a one-year, money-back guarantee. In the past, approximately 10% of customers have exercised this return privilege.

(d) Kiwi Industries manufactures and distributes outdoor recreational equipment. An individual recently filed a lawsuit as a result of injuries sustained while using Kiwi equipment. Attorneys for Kiwi believe the chance of losing the case is minimal.

(e) Berry incorporated, a newly formed company, has an unfunded pension plan that calls for retirement benefits to be paid to employees who retire after a minimum of 10 years of employment with the company.

(f) John Townson, a successful entrepreneur, has expressed a desire to establish university scholarships for disadvantaged youth in his community. He has been contacted by numerous universities, but as of yet, nothing firm has been established.