Pablo Martinez — ADJ18814242

Applicant Pablo Martinez, a fiber cutter employed for over two decades by Lekos Dye & Finishing/Barrett Business Services, developed interstitial lung disease/silicosis and was found by the WCJ to have sustained industrial injury AOE/COE to his respiratory system during the cumulative period ending December 12, 2023. Defendant filed a Petition for Reconsideration contending no substantial evidence supported the finding of injury, particularly disputing exposure to silica. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration to amend the F&O to reflect the parties' stipulation as to insurance coverage but otherwise affirmed the finding of injury. The Board held that PQME Dr. Tirmizi's opinion, supported by treating physician records and testimony establishing the presence of siligen (PDMS) and UV light at the workplace, constituted substantial medical and factual evidence of industrial causation. The Board emphasized that an applicant need only show industrial causation is reasonably probable, not certain or proven by scientific certainty.