[§392-44.5]  Notice of denial.  Noemployer or insurer shall deny disability benefits to an employee without firstsubmitting a copy of the notice of denial to the department.  The departmentshall review the denial within ten days of the receipt of the notice.  If thedepartment finds the denial erroneous, without proper legal basis, or withoutsufficient evidence to support it, the department shall request the employer orinsurer to reconsider its action in denying disability benefits.  If uponreconsideration the employer or insurer again decides to deny disabilitybenefits, the employee and the department shall be so notified.  The employeeshall have the right to appeal the denial of disability benefits. [L 1972, c120, §1]