Note 9  Commitments and Contingencies Lease The Companys corporate office lease is on a month-to-month basis, with a 5% per annum increase in the monthly lease payment effective February 1 of each year, and the lease agreement may be cancelled with three months written notice. Total rent expense incurred under the corporate office space lease arrangement was $125,186 and $147,276 for 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, the Companys future minimum lease payments for the corporate office lease on a month-to-month basis are estimated to be approximately $131,500 for the period January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020. Legal Proceedings The Company executed a Settlement Agreement &amp; Mutual Releases, dated December 12, 2018, resulting in the Company making a settlement payment of $136,606, inclusive of plaintiffs legal fees of $11,006, to a former financial advisor to the Company. Previously, on July 2, 2018, such former financial advisor filed a complaint in New York State court of a claim of breach of contract based on the Companys purported failure to pay certain compensation claimed by the former financial advisor and seeking monetary damages to be determined at trial of not less than $125,400. In the ordinary course of our business, particularly as we begin commercialization of our products, the Company may be subject to certain other legal actions and claims, including product liability, consumer, commercial, tax and governmental matters, which may arise from time to time. Except as otherwise noted herein, the Company does not believe it is currently a party to any other pending legal proceedings. Notwithstanding, legal proceedings are subject-to inherent uncertainties, and an unfavorable outcome could include monetary damages, and excessive verdicts can result from litigation, and as such, could result in a material adverse impact on the Companys business, financial position, results of operations, and /or cash flows. Additionally, although the Company has specific insurance for certain potential risks, the Company may in the future incur judgments or enter into settlements of claims which may have a material adverse impact on the Companys business, financial position, results of operations, and /or cash flows. Employment Agreements The Company has entered into employment agreements with each of: Dr. Lishan Aklog, M.D., Chief Executive Officer, with an annual base salary of $431,000 and an expiration date of December 31, 2019; Dennis M. McGrath, President and Chief Financial Officer, with an annual base salary of $345,000 and an expiration date of March 20, 2019; and, Dr. Brian J. deGuzman, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, with an annual base salary of $305,000 and an expiration date of June 30, 2021. Under the terms of the respective employment agreements, if the Company terminates employment without cause, or if such executive officer terminates his employment with the Company for good reason, each as defined in the respective employment agreement, then, Dr. Aklog may receive severance compensation payments equal to 150% of his base salary in effect at the time of the employment termination from the initial date of employment termination through the expiration date of his respective employment agreement; Mr. McGrath may receive 100% of the base salary in effect at the time of employment termination from the initial date of employment termination through six months thereafter; and, Dr. deGuzman may receive 100% of the base salary in effect at the time of the employment termination from the initial date of employment termination through the expiration date of his respective employment agreement. The contingent severance compensation payment(s) obligations, if any, will be recognized as a current period expense if and when such payment obligation is incurred. Subsequently, effective March 15, 2019, the Company amended and restated the employment agreements for each of Dr. Aklog and Mr. McGrath, for an initial term of 3 years, with an automatic renewal of one year, unless terminated earlier, generally with a sixty notice requirement or thirty days for termination for cause, as defined. Upon termination without cause by the Company or voluntarily on the part of Dr. Aklog or Mr. McGrath for good reason, as defined, each may receive severance payments equal to 100% of base salary for twelve months, a pro-rata bonus for the year of termination, and up to twelve months of Company provided health insurance benefits. If termination occurs as a result of a change of control, as defined, then the base salary severance would be for twenty-four months. The employment agreements require confidentiality and non-competition from each of Dr. Aklog and Mr. McGrath for specified time periods. Additionally, Dr. Aklogs employment agreement provides additional compensation with respect to the payment of certain transportation and membership fees. Further, on March 15, 2019, Dr. Aklog and Mr. McGrath were each awarded 200,000 and 500,000 restricted stock awards, respectively, under the PAVmed Inc. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Equity Plan, each representing a corresponding number of shares of common stock of the Company, which vest ratably on an annual basis, with the first vesting date of March 15, 2020 and a final vesting date of March 15, 2022. See Note 10, Stock Based Compensation , for further information with respect to the PAVmed Inc. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Equity Plan.