Opinion ID: 564880
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Responsible Carrier

Text: 14 Liberty Mutual contends that the ALJ's finding that it was the responsible carrier is not supported by the record. In particular, it points to the gap in coverage documentation for the period of October 1 to December 31, 1944. 15 We must uphold the ALJ's finding if it was supported by substantial evidence. McDonald, 897 F.2d at 1512. We hold that it was. The paper trail in this case, as in many asbestos cases, is incomplete due to the passage of time. ALJs must draw reasonable inferences based on the evidence before them. The ALJ here drew the reasonable inference that coverage was continuous. Because Liberty Mutual, the only other party who could possibly produce records pertaining to the coverage issue, failed to present any evidence to the contrary, we hold that the ALJ's finding was supported by substantial evidence. 2 16 AFFIRMED.