The Company self-insures its product liability, automotive, workers' compensation and general liability losses up to $250 per occurrence. Catastrophic coverage has been purchased from third party insurers for occurrences in excess of $250 up to $40,000. The two risk areas involving the most significant accounting estimates are workers' compensation and automotive liability. Actuarial valuations performed by the Company's outside risk insurance expert were used by management to form the basis for workers' compensation and automotive liability loss reserves. The actuary contemplated the Company's specific loss history, actual claims reported, and industry trends among statistical and other factors to estimate the range of reserves required. Risk insurance reserves are comprised of specific reserves for individual claims and additional amounts expected for development of these claims, as well as for incurred but not yet reported claims. The Company believes the liability of approximately $2,354 recorded for such risk insurance reserves is adequate as of December 31, 2011, but due to judgments inherent in the reserve estimate, it is possible the ultimate costs will differ materially from this estimate.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company has provided certain vendors and insurers letters of credit aggregating $4,541 related to its product purchases and insurance coverage of product liability, workers' compensation and general liability.

The Company self-insures its group health claims up to an annual stop loss limit of $200 per participant. Aggregate coverage is maintained for annual group health insurance claims in excess of 125% of expected claims. Historical group insurance loss experience forms the basis for the recognition of group health insurance reserves. Provisions for losses expected under these programs are recorded based on an analysis of historical insurance claim data and certain actuarial assumptions. The Company believes the liability of approximately $1,867 recorded for such group health insurance reserves is adequate as of December 31, 2011, but due to judgments inherent in the reserve estimation process it is possible the ultimate costs will differ materially from this estimate.

On November 23, 2011, Steelworks Hardware LLC, the owner of the Steelworks trade mark and a party to a licensing and marketing agreement with Hillman that originated in 2005 and automatically renewed for a three year period beginning in May 2010, filed a complaint against Hillman Group, Ace Hardware Corporation, Lowe's Companies, Inc., Lowe's Home Centers, Inc. and True Value Company in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division. The complaint alleged a series of claims against Hillman Group and the other named defendants, including trade mark and trade dress infringement in violation of the Lanham Act, violations of Illinois Consumer Fraud and Unfair Trade Practices Acts and common law breach of contract, conspiracy and tort claims.

On March 20, 2012, the Company agreed to pay $1,635 to Steelworks Hardware LLC in full settlement of all alleged claims and plaintiff legal fees in this matter. The settlement cost and plaintiff legal fees were recorded in our consolidated results of operations as of December 31, 2011.

On May 4, 2010, Hy-Ko Products, Inc. filed a complaint against Hillman Group, and Kaba Ilco Corp., a manufacturer of blank replacement keys, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio Eastern Division, alleging that the defendants engaged in violations of federal and state antitrust laws regarding their business practices relating to automatic key machines and replacement keys. Hy-Ko Products' May 4, 2010 filing against the Company is based, in part, on the Company's previously-filed claim against Hy-Ko Products alleging infringement of certain patents of the Company. A claim construction hearing on the Company's patent infringement claim against Hy-Ko Products occurred in September 2010. A ruling on the claim construction hearing was handed down on November 22, 2011 and was favorable to the Company's position. A trial date on the patent case is set for the fourth quarter of 2012.

In its antitrust claim against the Company, Hy-Ko Products is seeking monetary damages which would be trebled under the antitrust laws, interest and attorney's fees as well as injunctive relief. The antitrust claim against the Company has been stayed pending the resolution of the patents claim against Hy-Ko Products. Because the lawsuit is in a preliminary stage, it is not yet possible to assess the impact that the lawsuit will have on the Company. However, the Company believes that it has meritorious defenses and intends to defend the lawsuit vigorously.

In addition, legal proceedings are pending which are either in the ordinary course of business or incidental to the Company's business. Those legal proceedings incidental to the business of the Company are generally not covered by insurance or other indemnity. In the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution of the pending litigation matters will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, operations or cash flows of the Company.