A Hawaii lawmaker said he is concerned that three hospital workers who witnessed a patient kill a colleague had their workers’ compensation claims denied, and he is worried that it's part of a broader problem, according to a report by Honolulu Civil Beat.

Rep. Scot Matayoshi

According to the report, Justin Bautista was fatally stabbed Nov. 13 while working in a transitional housing unit on the Hawaii State Hospital campus. A patient was charged with the killing and has pleaded not guilty.

A registered nurse and three psychiatric technicians tended to Bautista.

Honolulu Civil Beat reports that it has documents showing the state Department of Human Resources Development refused to sign off on work comp claims for at least three of the employees, saying more information was needed.

State Rep. Scot Matayoshi, D-Kaneohe, reportedly said he is concerned by the claim that the state needs more time to collect facts.

 “It’s hard for me to conceptualize how this would not be covered by workers’ compensation,” he said. “I just don’t see any other set of facts that could explain why this could be denied, even if it’s denied pending investigation.”

Matayoshi reportedly said he wants to investigate allegations made by physicians that the state denies workers’ compensation claims at a higher rate than other employers do.