NC hospital rebuked; denied employee health claims

ASHEVILLE — A judge for the North Carolina agency that reviews workplace injury claims has criticized a major regional hospital for repeatedly denying its employees’ compensation requests.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported Thursday that the criticism was leveled against Mission Hospital.

A state Industrial Commission deputy commissioner said the 6,000-employee Asheville hospital has a history of unreasonably denying claims and displays a pattern of bad faith.

Deputy Commissioner George Glenn II said in a September ruling awarding benefits to a 20-year employee with back problems that he wants the state attorney general and Insurance Department to review the hospital’s decisions.

The hospital said it would cooperate with state authorities.

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