Fernando Martinez Decedent; Olga Salas Damian Salas — ADJ16035139

Fernando Martinez, a farm laborer, suffered a fatal cardiac arrest on March 31, 2022, shortly after beginning work removing leaves from grapevines on his first day back after weeks off. His dependents, Olga Salas and Damian Salas, claimed a death benefit. The PWCJ found the death arose out of and in the course of employment (AOE/COE) based on the uncontroverted opinion of PQME Dr. Benjamin Simon, who opined that physical work activity was a contributing cause of the cardiac arrest within reasonable medical probability. Defendant sought reconsideration, arguing the medical opinion was speculative and not substantial evidence because the decedent's work was minimal and he had significant pre-existing non-industrial risk factors. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, holding that Dr. Simon's reporting constituted substantial evidence and that defendant's demand for 'medical certainty' misstated the legal standard, which requires only reasonable medical probability.