COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

19. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal

The Company is subject to proceedings, lawsuits and audits and other claims arising in the normal course of business.  All such matters are subject to uncertainties and outcomes that are not predictable with assurance.  Accruals for these items, when applicable, have been provided to the extent that losses are deemed probable and are reasonably estimable.  These accruals are adjusted from time to time as developments warrant.

Although the ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be ascertained, on the basis of present information, amounts already provided, availability of insurance coverages and legal advice received, it is the opinion of management that the ultimate resolution of these proceedings, lawsuits and other claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Self-Insurance

The Company has a self-insured health plan for its employees under which there is both a participant stop loss and an aggregate stop loss based on total participants.  The Company is potentially responsible for annual claims not to individually exceed $250,000 at December 31, 2011.