Auditor Again Checking North Dakota Injured Workers’ Claims

A state auditor is doing another check of North Dakota injured workers’ claims to see how many were inappropriately denied.

A consultant’s review found only a “handful” of questionable claim denials. But state auditors said an appendix to the report from Chicago-based Marsh USA Inc., indicated 14 percent of the claims were improperly denied.

State audit manager Gordy Smith said that if the 14 percent rate applies to thousands of claims handled during the review period from 2005 to 2007, it could mean hundreds of improperly denied claims.

A Marsh executive said the firm “stands by the contents of its report” and is cooperating with state auditors “as appropriate.”