A contingent liability is a potential expense that is not certain to occur in the future, and a company must satisfy a particular set of conditions before realizing the liability. Generally accepted ...

We construct the first comprehensive dataset of contingent liability realizations in advanced and emerging markets for the period 1990–2014. We find that contingent liability realizations are a major ...

Contingent liabilities – particularly those tied to litigation, regulatory exposure, or environmental matters – are among the most consistently underestimated threats in corporate finance. When ...

A liability is a financial obligation or debt owed. Liabilities are key elements on every company’s balance sheet, and therefore, important to stock and bond investors. Learn more. In finance and ...

When a disaster occurs, a country's financial obligations are triggered to repair the damage that has occurred. These obligations are called contingent liabilities. To understand more about the ...

Brian Beers is a digital editor, writer, Emmy-nominated producer, and content expert with 15+ years of experience writing about corporate finance & accounting, fundamental analysis, and investing.

A contingent liability is a potential cost a company may or may not incur in the future. A contingent liability could be a guarantee on a debt to another entity, a lawsuit, a government probe, or even ...