Farmington Hills, Mich., June 5, 2026 鈥� 糖心传媒 Insurance today announces the launch of its new purpose statement: 鈥�Meeting the moments 鈥� with people who demand the best.鈥�

For more than a century, 糖心传媒 has focused on helping companies navigate uncertainty, prevent disruption, and move forward with confidence. This new purpose statement reflects how 糖心传媒 shows up for agency partners, policyholders, and employees in the moments that matter.

鈥淚nsurance is a noble profession because it鈥檚 centered around helping people through some of the most important moments they face,鈥� said Greg Crabb, 糖心传媒 President and CEO. 鈥淭o us, 鈥�Meeting the moments…鈥� means showing up with care, accountability, and expertise when people are counting on us to deliver.鈥�

At its core, the purpose statement reflects a shared belief that the way people respond in important moments ultimately shapes the strength of a partnership.

鈥淪ome of the most important moments in insurance don鈥檛 always look dramatic from the outside,鈥� explains Bob Nicholas, Vice President of Marketing and Sales Enablement. 鈥溾��鈥ith people who demand the best.鈥� reflects the shared high standard of excellence set by our employees, agency partners, and policyholders. It speaks to the passion our people bring to transforming the insurance experience and delivering when it matters most.鈥�

鈥淭hose are the moments that people remember because they build trust, strengthen relationships, and define what鈥檚 unmistakably 糖心传媒.鈥�

For more information about 糖心传媒鈥檚 new brand purpose and to watch it come to life, check their , , and  pages to follow along, or visit their website.

About 糖心传媒 Insurance

糖心传媒 is a leading provider of commercial property and casualty insurance solutions for U.S.-based construction, manufacturing and healthcare businesses. Licensed in all fifty states and available through an exclusive network of elite independent agents, the company upholds an 鈥淎鈥� (Excellent) financial strength rating, industry-leading service scores, and multiple awards for innovation. 糖心传媒 has been in business for more than 100 years and is consistently named among the best places to work in the industry and throughout the nation. To learn more, visit amerisure.com.

In observance of , trenching and excavation work lay the foundation for vital infrastructure projects, but the inherent risks demand serious attention. Cave-ins, falling debris, hazardous atmospheres, and equipment mishaps rank among the most significant dangers. According to the , trenching and excavation  some of the most hazardous construction activities, with cave-ins alone responsible for dozens of fatalities annually.

The good news? These risks are not only manageable but preventable with proper planning, adherence to safety protocols, and innovative technology.

What Makes it So Dangerous?

Trenching and excavation can  deceptive dangers. Major risks include:

• Cave-ins: Soil can per cubic yard, making collapses potentially fatal. 
• Falling hazards: Workers can fall into unprotected trenches, or loose soil and debris can fall on workers inside. 
• Hazardous atmospheres: Trenches may accumulate toxic gases or have low oxygen without proper ventilation. 
• Equipment-related risks: Heavy machinery near trench edges can destabilize walls or pose struck-by hazards.听

What Safety Planning Should Happen Before Any Excavation Begins?

Safety starts long before the first shovel hits the ground.

• Pre-job planning:  that a competent person evaluate the site, test soil stability, locate underground utilities, and establish safety protocols before work begins. 
• Locate utilities: Contact utility marking services (e.g., 鈥淐all Before You Dig鈥� / 811) so underground fuel, electric, sewer, or water lines are identified. 
• Soil and atmospheric testing: Test soil for stability and trenches for hazardous atmospheres like low oxygen or toxic gas before workers enter. 
• Daily inspections: Trenches and protective systems should be inspected by a competent person at the start of each shift and after events like rain or heavy equipment activity. 

Identifying hazards early lets you plan protection strategies 鈥� and prevents many incidents before they happen.

What Protective Systems Are Required?

When a trench is deeper than five feet (unless it鈥檚 in stable rock), OSHA standards require to reduce cave-in risks. 

Common protective options include:

• Sloping: Cutting trench walls at an angle to reduce collapse potential. 
• Shoring: Installing supports (e.g., timber or hydraulic systems) to stabilize trench walls. 
• Shielding: Using trench boxes or shields to protect workers from cave-ins. 

These systems help ensure that soil or debris doesn鈥檛 trap workers as excavation progresses.

How Should Workers Enter and Exit Trenches?

Safe access and egress are critical 鈥� especially in emergencies.

• Trenches should have ladders, ramps, or stairs installed within 25 feet of workers. 
• Ramps and ladders must be properly designed and free of tripping hazards. 
• Using a competent person to evaluate and confirm these access points is essential. 

Quick and reliable exit routes can make all the difference if conditions change rapidly. 

How Can Technology Improve Safety?

Safety innovations are helping worksites detect hazards sooner and act faster:

• Real-time soil monitoring detects instability before it becomes a crisis. 
• Advanced trench boxes combine lightweight materials with stronger protection. 
• Ground-penetrating radar and GPS mapping improve utility location accuracy. 

What Ongoing Safety Practices Should Be Part of Every Job?

Best practices don鈥檛 stop once work begins. Here are some proactive safety measures you should implement to make your jobsite stronger and more resilient.

• Keep soil, materials, and equipment at least two feet from trench edges to avoid adding pressure that can trigger a collapse. 
• Monitor atmospheric conditions continuously in deeper excavations. 
• Train workers and supervisors on excavation hazards, recognition, and response. 
• Communicate risks daily, including weather impacts and changes in soil stability. 

Want Expert Support With Your Excavation Safety Program?

If your organization performs this type of work, a structured safety program can make all the difference in preventing injuries, minimizing liability exposure, and meeting regulatory requirements.

Partnering with risk and safety advisors 鈥� like those at 糖心传媒 鈥� can help you assess your current processes, enhance planning and training, and strengthen your overall safety culture. Connect with an 糖心传媒 risk specialist today.

In recognition of , our latest workplace safety resource explores practical prevention strategies that can help teams recognize heat-related risks earlier and respond before conditions become dangerous. Federal nearly 34,000 serious heat-related workplace injuries and illnesses have occurred over the last decade alone, with construction and other physically demanding industries continuing to face elevated risk.

That same challenge carries across industries. On construction sites, in manufacturing facilities, and anywhere physically demanding work takes place, safer outcomes are often shaped by everyday decisions 鈥� how teams hydrate, recognize subtle warning signs, schedule recovery breaks, and look out for one another throughout the workday. And because within minutes if left untreated, early action matters.

Explore the full resource below for expert insights, prevention essentials, and practical first-aid response guidance designed to help support safer workplaces during the hottest months of the year.

Helping Teams Stay Safer

Farmington Hills, Mich., May 15, 2026 鈥� 糖心传媒 Insurance announces the release of its , featuring financial strength and a commitment to delivering exceptional value through trusted partnerships, superior service, and specialized expertise.

The report highlights momentum across the organization, including growth in key business segments, technology modernization efforts, and ongoing improvements designed to make the insurance experience easier, more responsive, and built around the needs of agency partners and policyholders.

鈥�2025 was a year that reinforced the strength of our partnerships and the dedication of our people,鈥� said Greg Crabb, 糖心传媒 President and CEO.

鈥淭his report reflects the progress we鈥檝e made across our business and our continued commitment to helping our agency partners and policyholders move forward with confidence.鈥�

The annual report also highlights 糖心传媒鈥檚 鈥淎鈥� (Excellent) Financial Strength Rating from AM Best, more than $55 million in surplus growth, expanded risk management and claims capabilities, and ongoing community support efforts through the 糖心传媒 Charitable Foundation.

About 糖心传媒 Insurance

糖心传媒 is a leading provider of commercial property and casualty insurance solutions for U.S.-based construction, manufacturing and healthcare businesses. Licensed in all fifty states and available through an exclusive network of elite independent agents, the company upholds an 鈥淎鈥� (Excellent) financial strength rating, industry-leading service scores, and multiple awards for innovation. 糖心传媒 has been in business for more than 100 years and is consistently named among the best places to work in the industry and throughout the nation. To learn more, visit amerisure.com.

Navigating construction disputes is an unfortunate reality many businesses do not think about until a project is already facing delays, financial strain, or communication breakdowns. Construction projects are complex undertakings involving multiple stakeholders, large budgets and tight deadlines. Given these intricacies, disagreements are almost inevitable. However, when disputes escalate, they can lead to costly delays, strained relationships and significant financial setbacks.

According to , the total value of construction disputes in North America soared to $43 million in 2023, with the average resolution time stretching to 14.4 months. Such prolonged disputes can derail project timelines and budgets, making effective dispute prevention and resolution strategies critical to success.

What Causes Construction Disputes?

Construction projects bring together multiple stakeholders, large budgets, tight deadlines and complex contract terms 鈥� a mix that naturally breeds disagreement.

Common triggers include:

• Contract ambiguities: Poorly defined scopes or unclear responsibilities create room for interpretation 鈥� and conflict.
• Schedule delays: Weather, supply chain issues or planning gaps often lead to disputes over cost and accountability.
• : Late payments, retention disagreements or withheld funds can quickly escalate tensions.
• Quality disputes: When completed work doesn鈥檛 meet expectations, disagreements arise around fulfillment of contractual obligations.听

Disputes rarely stem from a single source. They鈥檙e usually a mix of miscommunication, unclear expectations and unmet contractual promises.

How Are Construction Disputes Typically Resolved?

Not all disputes need to end up in court. Understanding resolution options helps you choose the right approach 鈥� balancing speed, cost and relationship preservation.

1. Negotiation: The First and Least Costly Step
   Direct discussions help clarify issues and allow parties to reach a mutually acceptable outcome without external involvement. Negotiation sets the stage for deeper resolution if needed.听
2. Mediation: Facilitated Agreement Building
   A neutral third party helps guide conversations toward resolution. While not legally binding, mediation often resolves disputes faster and more cheaply than litigation.听
3. Arbitration: A Binding Alternative to Court
   An arbitrator delivers a decision that is legally binding. It tends to be faster and more efficient than full litigation, though legal fees and limited appeal options apply.
4. Litigation: Last Resort
   Court proceedings are the slowest and most expensive option, often taking years to resolve. Due to the time, cost and public nature of litigation, most construction disputes are resolved through earlier steps.

Why Is Contract Management Central to Preventing Disputes?

Contracts provide the legal foundation for project expectations, responsibilities and protections, but only if they are clear and comprehensive.听, of the 69,296 private construction firms that launched in 2001, only 56% survived beyond three years, 26.6% reached the 10-year mark, and a mere 17.2% remained in operation after two decades 鈥� an astonishing 82.8% failure rate.

Key contract elements to address:

• Scope of Work: Define responsibilities, deliverables, timelines and quality standards so all parties understand expectations.
• Payment Terms: Clearly outline progress payments, retention amounts, penalties and conditions for disbursement to avoid financial disputes.
• Termination Clauses: Understand provisions like 鈥渢ermination for convenience,鈥� which allow owners to end contracts with limited notice 鈥� potentially leaving subcontractors vulnerable.
• Dispute Resolution Clauses: Including mediation or arbitration provisions upfront gives all parties a predefined path for resolving conflicts.听

Well-drafted contracts reduce ambiguity 鈥� one of the most common root causes of disputes 鈥� and set clear pathways for resolution when issues arise.

Navigating Construction Dispute Risk

Beyond contract language, consider these strategies to actively minimize disputes:

• Read and Understand Every Clause: Contract language can have far-reaching implications. Seek legal guidance if any term is unclear.
• Maintain Open Communication: Regular, documented communication keeps expectations aligned and prevents misunderstandings from becoming disagreements.
• Identify Negotiation Priorities: Know what terms are essential versus negotiable before signing contracts.
• Implement Proactive Risk Management Plans: Identify potential project risks early and detail strategies to address them before escalation.
• Keep Meticulous Records: Emails, daily reports, photos, change orders and written agreements create a factual timeline that can be invaluable in dispute resolution.
• Seek Expert Guidance: Construction lawyers or industry specialists can spot hidden risks and ensure terms are enforceable and fair.听

How Does Clear Communication and Documentation Help?

Documentation is evidence. Projects with robust records often resolve disputes faster and more favorably than those without. When disagreements occur, having a documented history of decisions, changes and approvals helps clarify intent and responsibility.

• Record Conversations: Summaries of meetings and decisions should be documented in writing.
• Track Changes: Any deviation from original plans or specifications should be documented and approved in writing.
• Document Delays & Notices: Recording delay notices and extension requests creates evidence of impact.
• Use Daily Reports & Photos: These help paint a detailed picture of progress 鈥� or lack thereof 鈥� bolstering positions during resolution discussions.听

Good documentation also serves as a risk-management tool, helping uncover patterns that might indicate process weaknesses before they escalate into full disputes.

How Can Contractors Prepare for Dispute Outcomes?

Preparing for potential conflicts means building systems that reduce the likelihood of conflict in the first place.

Ask yourself:

• Have all contract terms been reviewed by legal counsel?
• Are expectations documented and communicated consistently?
• Do teams understand project milestones and performance metrics?
• Is your risk management plan updated and communicated across departments?

When the answer is 鈥測es,鈥� you鈥檝e substantially strengthened your position 鈥� even before disputes arise.

Want Help Strengthening Your Construction Risk Management?

Disputes are a reality in construction, but you can control how prepared you are to prevent and handle them.

Partnering with experienced risk advisors and legal professionals can give you the tools to:

• Improve contract language
• Implement effective dispute resolution clauses
• Build documentation protocols
• Enhance project communication practices

to review your current approach and strengthen your construction dispute management strategy.

Evaluating a product liability program is critical for any business that manufactures products for sale to both businesses and individuals. If the products are consumer goods or play a critical role in another product, the liability program, quality control and product documentation should be considered fundamental to the business. The potential risks associated with defective products can lead to significant financial losses, legal repercussions and damage to a company鈥檚 reputation. 

This article answers the essential questions businesses have about strengthening product liability programs to mitigate risks and enhance overall safety.

What Is Product Liability?

Product liability refers to the legal responsibility manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and retailers face when a product causes bodily injury or property damage.

Claims typically arise under three legal theories:

• Negligence (failure to exercise reasonable care in design, production or warnings)
• Strict liability (liability regardless of fault if a product is defective)
• Breach of warranty (failure to meet expressed or implied product guarantees)

Because multiple parties in the supply chain can be named in a lawsuit, even companies far removed from the manufacturing floor may face significant financial exposure.

What Are the Main Types of Product Defects?

Understanding defect categories is foundational to managing product liability risk. Although nearly any aspect of a product can lead to liability claims, there are three main categories:

1. Design Defects

These occur when a product is inherently unsafe due to its design 鈥� even if manufactured correctly. Risk mitigation often requires rigorous design review, engineering validation and hazard analysis before market release.

2. Manufacturing Defects

These arise during production, assembly or distribution. Even a well-designed product can become dangerous if quality control processes fail. Preventive controls typically include documented manufacturing procedures, supplier oversight, batch testing and inspection protocols.

3. Failure to Warn (Marketing Defects)

These involve inadequate instructions, labeling or warnings regarding foreseeable risks. Clear communication about proper use, installation, storage and maintenance can significantly reduce liability exposure.

Proactively addressing all three categories helps reduce both claim frequency and claim severity.

Why Should Companies Regularly Evaluate Their Product Liability Programs?

Product liability risk is dynamic. Regulatory standards evolve. Product complexity increases. Global supply chains introduce new vulnerabilities.

A structured evaluation helps organizations:

• Identify gaps between current practices and industry best standards
• Align product safety protocols with evolving legal requirements
• Improve internal documentation and traceability
• Strengthen recall readiness
• Reduce the likelihood of catastrophic loss events

Regular review ensures that your product liability program evolves alongside your operations rather than reacting after a loss occurs.

“It鈥檚 not just about the product itself 鈥� it鈥檚 about the processes, documentation and communication behind it,” says Eric Austin, Risk Management Expertise Specialist at 糖心传媒. 鈥淎 solid liability program is like a safety net. Without it, a slight oversight can have significant financial and reputational consequences.鈥�

How Can You Measure the Effectiveness of Your Product Liability Risk Management Program?

To evaluate the effectiveness of a product liability program, organizations should focus on several key metrics that provide insight into the program鈥檚 performance. These metrics can be broadly categorized into preventive, reactive and various post-incident qualitative metrics.

Preventive Metrics: Focus on measures to prevent defects and ensure product safety before products reach the market. These include:

• Complaints and Warranty Issues:听Prior to a product failure, a company may receive complaints about the performance of a product or part, or there may be warranty issues. Although a company may not like paying out warranty claims or listening to complaints, addressing issues during this phase reduces the likelihood of future liability claims.
• Compliance Rate with Safety Standards:听Regular legal review of product instructions and warning statements is crucial. What was considered 鈥渂est in class鈥� 10 years ago may not be today. Researching recalls, lawsuits, or other issues with similar products can help identify necessary changes.
• Quality Control Audit Scores:听Regular audits of quality control processes reveal how effectively a company is identifying and addressing potential product defects before they lead to liability issues. Many industries have specific standards such as ISO, IATF, HACCP, and others. Understanding applicable standards enables a better evaluation of a program and the audit methods in place.

Reactive Metrics: Assess how well the products liability program responds when an issue arises, including how efficiently it manages claims and resolves incidents.

Post-Incident Review: After resolving a product liability issue, conducting a thorough review to identify lessons learned, improve processes and enhance the overall effectiveness of the program. If complaints or warranty issues were noted prior to the failure, it鈥檚 essential to determine why changes were not made and whether complaint or warranty personnel communicated the issues to design or manufacturing.

Product Recall Procedures: Well-defined protocols for recalling defective products quickly and efficiently are crucial, including communication strategies with consumers, retailers and regulatory bodies. Questions about product traceability and purchaser identification are pertinent.

Crisis Communication: Plans for communicating with stakeholders, the public and media during a product liability crisis aim to maintain transparency, trust and minimize reputational damage.

Corrective Action: Processes for implementing corrective measures to address the root cause of the defect or incident, preventing future occurrences, and updating safety standards and procedures accordingly.

鈥淭he most successful organizations treat metrics as an early-warning system,鈥� Austin contends. 鈥淲arranty data, customer complaints, even removed safety labels鈥攁ll of these are signals. If you capture and act on them quickly, you can help prevent much bigger problems down the road.鈥�

What Tools Strengthen a Product Liability Strategy?

Evaluating a product liability program involves checking the level of detail of the program itself and verifying that internal controls cover a wide range of topics, well beyond the categories of design and manufacturing defect, plus duty to warn. High-performing organizations typically incorporate structured evaluation tools such as:

Gap Analysis: Comparison of the current liability program to industry best practices, legal standards, and new precedents in liability cases with similar products.

• For instance, the standard for warning labels and statements was updated in 2022 and 2023. While not legally binding, this updated standard could be a factor in a liability case focusing on 鈥榙uty to warn.鈥�

Legal Reviews and Case Studies: Assessing changes in the legal environment, which vary by state and country. Adopting the most stringent standards, such as California鈥檚, could cover most other jurisdictions.

Customer Feedback and Warranty Data: Early indicators of potential issues that could turn into claims. Involvement of the Service Department is crucial as they can report not just product failures but also removed guards, labels, or other safety devices.

Simulations:听Testing the traceability of products in the event of a recall and identifying key contacts and relevant government agencies. Simulations are vital tools in evaluating the effectiveness of a program.

Employee Products Liability Training:听Ensuring that warranty and service departments communicate issues to design and manufacturing is crucial. Employee training and basic knowledge on product liability are valuable tools to prevent major failures.

Emerging technologies, new materials, expanded distribution channels and evolving consumer expectations all introduce new liability exposures.

Organizations that implement ongoing review cycles 鈥� rather than one-time audits 鈥� are better positioned to:

• Anticipate regulatory shifts
• Identify new product hazards
• Strengthen supplier risk management
• Improve documentation defensibility
• Enhance insurance alignment with operational risk

Continuous improvement reduces uncertainty and strengthens long-term resilience.

How Does a Strong Product Liability Program Protect Your Business?

A comprehensive product liability strategy supports:

• Reduced claim frequency and severity
• Improved regulatory compliance
• Faster, more coordinated recall response
• Stronger insurer relationships
• Protection of brand reputation and customer trust

Ultimately, it safeguards both your balance sheet and your market position.

Ready to Strengthen Your Stand on Product Liability?

Evaluating your product liability exposure requires more than reviewing coverage limits. It demands an integrated strategy that connects product design, manufacturing controls, supplier oversight, documentation, training and insurance protection.

Working with an experienced carrier like 糖心传媒 can help you assess vulnerabilities, refine risk controls and align your insurance program with operational realities.

About the Author

In his current role at 糖心传媒, Eric assists with the review of manufacturing accounts, the products produced and coordinates with underwriting teams on potential issues identified, while helping to coach risk management consultants prior to visiting prospective accounts. Eric has been a featured speaker for the National Pool Builder鈥檚 Association meeting, providing safety instruction to company ownership personnel. Additionally, he created the widely successful听. Eric was named 糖心传媒鈥檚 Loss Control Consultant of the Year in 2012 and 2023 and has been nominated for this honor two other times. He has been published in听Safety and Health听Magazine, as well as SafetyInfo.com鈥檚 online magazine.

The materials and information found here are informational resources and do not and should not be construed as direct processional, legal or other advice as to specific facts and circumstances.  It is recommended you always seek appropriate professional advice as to your particular circumstances.  糖心传媒 disclaims any and all liability for actions taken by you based on the content of these resources.

What does it take to make a workplace consistently safer?

In our latest issue of Safety Connect, we share how one company turned fleet data and insights into real improvements on the road 鈥斕齛n important shift as roadway incidents one of the most persistent on-the-job risks.

That same approach carries across industries. In construction and healthcare alike, where highlights ongoing hazards, safer outcomes are so often the result of everyday decisions, how risks are recognized, how teams respond together, and how safety stays part of the conversation.

听

Explore the full issue below for practical expertise and real-world examples of how small, consistent actions can lead to truly meaningful results.

Building a Safer Workplace

After a long day of rehabilitation sessions, patients, families and loved ones gathered around buffet tables while volunteers from 糖心传媒 and served more than 100 meals and welcomed each guest as they arrived.

They that they didn鈥檛 have to plan, prepare, or clean up after. Conversations began to unfold across the tables and laughter surfaced easily during dinner, growing louder through a few spirited rounds of bingo. By the end of the evening, strangers and new friends alike were trading stories, jokes, and the kind of easy conversation that makes a room feel just a little bit more like home.

It may have been one dinner, but when life is often defined by endurance and incremental progress, even one impactful evening can make all the difference.

When Recovery Reshapes Everything for Families

Each year in the United States, people sustain a spinal cord injury, often from events that arrive without warning. Behind every fall, car accident or medical emergency statistic is a family that is navigating a new and unexpected reality. In a single moment, routines must shift; family and friends reorganize around hospital schedules, and those long-term adjustments that will begin to reshape daily life.

At Shepherd Center, recovery is never treated as an individual journey. Nationally recognized for rehabilitation outcomes, focuses not only on helping patients regain independence, but also on equipping families with the confidence and support they need for life beyond discharge. It鈥檚 a powerful reminder that recovery does not belong to one person alone, it also belongs to those who stand beside them.

鈥淲e鈥檙e so honored to partner with Shepherd Center and 糖心传媒 to support families navigating difficult journeys,鈥� said Maggie Fischer, Managing Partner, Personal Lines Marketing Manager at Yates Insurance Agency.

鈥淥pportunities like this are a wonderful way to bring people together, and a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful support comes from simply being present for those when they need it most.鈥�

At 糖心传媒, that idea resonates deeply with the core values that make up who we are. Much like the work taking place every day at Shepherd Center, we meet people in those moments that arrive just as unexpectedly鈥攁fter an accident, a catastrophic injury, or an unforeseen disruption that suddenly changes the course of a life or a livelihood.

Powerful Partnerships

糖心传媒鈥檚 relationship with Shepherd Center extends well beyond a single evening of service. Recognizing the strain placed on families traveling long distances for rehabilitation care, 糖心传媒 helped support the development of the 12th floor of the , a 16-story housing tower that opened in 2024 and more than doubles Shepherd Center鈥檚 capacity to house patients and families who live more than 60 miles away.

The impact is both practical and deeply personal. Proximity allows spouses to attend early-morning therapy sessions, parents can remain present for milestone moments, and it reduces the emotional and financial strain of long commutes for countless, committed loved ones.

This partnership reflects 糖心传媒鈥檚 broader approach to community engagement. Through the 糖心传媒 Charitable Foundation (ACF), we continue to support nonprofit organizations that strengthen the communities where our employees, agency partners, and policyholders live and work. Since 2020, the ACF has contributed more than $732,000 directly to charitable causes, focused on everything from health and education to community resilience.

鈥溙切拇解�檚 greatest strength is our people,鈥� said Erin Buddie, 糖心传媒鈥檚 Chief Human Resources Officer. 鈥淓ach teammate brings our service culture to life through the way we support our communities and one another.”听

“Partnerships like ours with Yates Insurance and Shepherd Center show what that commitment looks like in action鈥攈elping ensure families facing life-changing moments know that they鈥檙e not navigating them alone.鈥�

A Shared Commitment to What Comes Next

As the recent Shepherd Center Family Dinner wound down, volunteers stacked chairs and gathered leftovers for the night shift to enjoy. Families lingered in conversation before returning to patient floors. Tomorrow鈥檚 therapy sessions will begin again in the morning.

At their best, both healthcare and insurance are built on a certain responsibility and trust鈥攂ringing dedicated professionals together to help people recover, rebuild, and find stability when uncertainty appears. Whether it鈥檚 helping to expand housing so families can remain close during rehabilitation, sitting beside them at a shared dinner table after a long day of therapy, or guiding a policyholder through the aftermath of an unexpected loss, our goal remains the same: supporting our communities through moments that call for the best of care and the compassion of those you can count on.

Farmington Hills, Mich., March 30, 2026 鈥� 糖心传媒 Insurance is proud to share that AM Best has reaffirmed the company鈥檚 鈥淎鈥� (Excellent) Financial Strength Rating with a stable outlook, demonstrating 糖心传媒鈥檚 continued financial strength and its ability to deliver on commitments to policyholders and agency partners. 糖心传媒 has received the A (Excellent) rating for more than 25 years!

The rating and outlook underscore 糖心传媒鈥檚 financial stability supported by three consecutive years of improvement in our core business operating ratio and net income, which has generated strong surplus growth. The elimination of future earnings drag from legacy asbestos liabilities was another positive to the continued stable outlook. This transaction further strengthens our balance sheet and enables continued strong returns from our core business.

鈥淎M Best鈥檚 recognition validates the progress we鈥檝e made strengthening our core business and balance sheet,鈥� said Chris Spaude, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.

鈥溙切拇� is well positioned to continue our mission of creating exceptional value for our agencies, policyholders, and employees.鈥�

AM Best reviews and rates more than 16,000 insurance companies worldwide, evaluating insurers on creditworthiness, balance sheet strength, operating performance, and business profile. Additional information about AM Best鈥檚 ratings and methodologies is available at .

About AM Best

Founded in 1899, AM Best is the world鈥檚 first credit rating agency and the largest specializing in the insurance industry. What began as a one-room office in New York City has grown into a globally recognized authority on insurer creditworthiness. AM Best鈥檚 credit ratings provide forward-looking, independent, and objective assessments of insurers, issuers, and financial obligations.

About 糖心传媒 Insurance

糖心传媒 is a leading provider of commercial property and casualty insurance solutions for U.S.-based construction, manufacturing and healthcare businesses. Licensed in all fifty states and available through an exclusive network of elite independent agents, the company upholds an 鈥淎鈥� (Excellent) financial strength rating, industry-leading service scores, and multiple awards for innovation. 糖心传媒 has been in business for more than 100 years and is consistently named among the best places to work in the industry and throughout the nation. To learn more, visit amerisure.com.

# # #

A nurse helps a someone sit up after surgery. A physical therapist steadies someone learning to walk again. A caregiver gently shifts a patient to ease discomfort or prevent complications during the recovery process.

These movements are part of daily care, and among the most physically demanding tasks in modern workplaces鈥攅specially in long-term care settings and senior living communities, where caregivers support residents with daily mobility needs over extended periods of time. For these organizations, the question becomes clear: How can we help protect the people who spend their careers protecting others?

鈥淲hen injuries happen in healthcare, they rarely come from one dramatic moment,鈥� said Ed Sowers, Risk Management Service Specialist at 糖心传媒.

鈥淢ore often, they鈥檙e tied to routine movements repeated throughout the day. The organizations that manage that risk best look at the entire system鈥攈ow the room is designed, what equipment is available, and how teams support each other during patient care delivery.鈥�

Where Patient Handling Risk Really Begins

Healthcare professionals perform some of the most physically demanding work in any industry. Moving a patient from bed to chair, assisting with rehabilitation, or repositioning someone to prevent pressure injuries are essential parts of care鈥攂ut they can also place significant strain on caregivers. In long-term care communities, these movements often happen repeatedly throughout the day for the same residents, increasing cumulative physical demands on staff. that manual lifting can expose workers to spinal forces that exceed recommended safe limits, especially when mechanical support or team assistance is limited.

Unlike many industries, healthcare cannot remove these tasks from the workflow; mobility assistance is a necessary part of treatment. This is especially true in senior living facilities, where supporting activities of daily living is central to resident care. As a result, the workforce experiences some of the over most private industries, with musculoskeletal disorders among the of missed workdays. Many of these injuries are linked to handling tasks such as lifting, repositioning, and transfers and, when injuries occur, the impact reaches beyond the individual caregiver. Staffing pressure increases, workflows may slow, and care environments become increasingly more complex.听

The Triangle

Protecting caregivers is essential to protecting patients.听 aligns ergonomics, lifting equipment, and team-based support to make patient movement safer and more efficient. By replacing high-risk manual tasks with safer systems, healthcare facilities may reduce injuries while creating a more comfortable and dignified experience for those in recovery or receiving treatment.

The model centers on three interdependent elements: Ergonomics, Equipment, and Staffing.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics focuses on designing healthcare environments that help support safer movement. This includes patient room layouts that allow proper positioning during transfers, workflows that support assisted movement, and training that reinforces safe body mechanics. In both senior living and long-term care facilities, this may also include room configurations that accommodate mobility aids and support frequent repositioning throughout the day. Recent federal workplace safety guidance as an important component of healthcare injury prevention.

鈥淲hen caregivers have space to move properly and understand how to position themselves during patient handling, the strain on the body drops significantly,鈥� Sowers explained. 鈥淓rgonomics helps make safe movement the natural way the work gets done.鈥�

Hospitals that incorporate ergonomic design into patient handling programs fewer lifting-related injuries and greater confidence among caregivers assisting patients with mobility.

Equipment That Supports Safer Patient Movement

Training and workplace design are essential, but safe patient handling also requires the right tools. Mechanical lifts, transfer devices, slide sheets, and adjustable beds are in healthcare environments. These tools help caregivers reposition or transfer patients while reducing the strain associated with manual lifting.

Staffing

Even with ergonomic design and advanced equipment, safe patient handling depends on teamwork; many transfers require two caregivers working together to safely reposition or assist a patient. And when staffing levels are stretched, caregivers may feel pressure to handle these tasks alone, often raising the risk of injury; continues to highlight staffing support as a key factor in safe handling programs.

鈥淧atient movement is rarely meant to be a solo task,鈥� Sowers noted. 鈥淲hen caregivers have the support of their team, they can follow safe procedures rather than rushing through physically demanding movements.鈥�

Adequate staffing allows care teams to move more deliberately, communicate clearly, and assist one another during potentially difficult mobility tasks.

When Safety Systems Work Together

The strength of the Patient Safety Triangle becomes clear when ergonomics, equipment, and staffing operate not as isolated solutions, but as parts of a coordinated system.

In healthcare facilities that approach patient handling this way, safety is built into the environment itself. to allow caregivers to move and position themselves properly during transfers. Mechanical lifts and transfer devices are readily available where patient movement occurs. Care teams receive practical training in and have the staffing support needed to work together when tasks require more than one set of hands.

Over time, these systems begin to reshape the rhythm of care. Transfers become more deliberate. Caregivers can move with greater confidence. Patients may feel more stable and secure during moments that can otherwise be physically and emotionally vulnerable.

Safety, in these environments, is not treated as a separate initiative or an afterthought. It becomes part of the everyday workflow, supporting caregivers while strengthening the overall resilience of the healthcare organization.

Strengthening Healthcare Safety

When healthcare organizations treat patient handling as a system rather than a series of individual tasks, the benefits may extend well beyond injury reduction. Over time, these practices can help strengthen more than safety metrics. They support workforce resilience, preserve valuable clinical expertise, and help healthcare organizations maintain the steady, high-quality care patients depend on every day鈥攅specially in environments where continuity of care and caregiver well-being are critical to resident outcomes. They support workforce resilience, preserve valuable clinical expertise, and help healthcare organizations maintain the steady, high-quality care patients depend on every day.

At 糖心传媒, this work happens alongside agents and healthcare policyholders every day鈥攖ranslating real-world operational insight into practical safety strategies designed to protect caregivers and strengthen healthcare organizations.

To learn more about how 糖心传媒 helps healthcare organizations strengthen safety programs and protect their teams, visit 糖心传媒.com.

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice; instead, all information, content, and materials contained in each article are for general informational purposes only.