Mather Air Force Base Asbestos Exposure | VA Cancer Claims

California Asbestos Cancer Lawsuits

VA Disability Claims & Compensation

Although Mather AFB was decommissioned, asbestos exposure remains a long-term health issue. Veterans who develop asbestos-related illnesses may qualify for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, but proving service-related exposure can be challenging. Civilian workers may also have legal claims against manufacturers of asbestos products.

Anyone who served or worked at Mather and has since been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease should consult both medical professionals and experienced legal counsel. Attorneys familiar with military asbestos cases can help victims secure compensation and guide them through the VA claims process.

Due to the widespread use of asbestos in many industrial applications before the 1980s, many Americans, including Air Force Veterans, were exposed to the toxic material and later fell ill as a result. The United States Military, along with almost every heavy industry in the country, used asbestos in insulation, machinery, flooring, roofing, aircraft brakes, clutches, gaskets, heat shields, and many other components.

Our asbestos exposure lawyers are filing new claims on behalf of former Mather Air Force Base staff and personnel in asbestos cancer claims. Many veterans around California in military bases have fallen ill with mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other illnesses related to past toxic exposure. Compensation packages are available for individuals and families.

What Damages Are Available in VA Asbestos Cancer Claims?

Injured air force veterans, and those former Mather AFB servicemen and civilians who have developed cancer after a toxic exposure during their time at a California base, can seek damages to help pay for the following:

• Long-Term Disability: Veterans who have been diagnosed with occupationa cancers and asbestos-related lung diseases like mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer may qualify for disability compensation. The amount of compensation will depend on your service history and on the severity of the service-related illness.
• Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): For asbestos-related disabilities that are severe or have additional complications, Mather AFB veterans may be eligible for special monthly compensation, which can increase basic financial assistance.
• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): Surviving spouses, children, dependents and families of veterans who have passed away due to asbestos-related illnesses may be eligible for DIC benefits to ensure a more stable financial future.
• Medical Costs: Veterans always have VA healthcare paid for, but for any out of network costs, reimbursement can be available.
• Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Services: For veterans who cannot return to their former job in the same capacity, the VA offers job training services to help them re-enter the workforce or acquire new skill sets.
• Aid and Attendance (A&A): Veterans with asbestos-related illnesses who require the assistance of another person for daily activities may qualify for A&A benefits.

Asbestos Exposure at Mather Air Force Base

Mather Air Force Base, located near Sacramento, California, operated for decades as a key training and logistics hub for the U.S. Air Force before closing in 1993. Like many military installations built and expanded in the mid-20th century, the base relied heavily on asbestos-containing materials in its infrastructure. This raises significant concerns about possible asbestos exposure for service members, civilian employees, and contractors who lived or worked at Mather during its years of operation.

Asbestos in Military Facilities

Asbestos was prized for its heat resistance, durability, and insulating properties, making it a common material in military construction from the 1930s through the 1970s. At Mather AFB, asbestos was likely present in a variety of settings, including:

• Barracks and housing units: Insulation, flooring, ceiling tiles, and pipe coverings often contained asbestos.
• Aircraft hangars and maintenance shops: Brake pads, gaskets, and insulation used in aircraft and equipment exposed maintenance crews to fibers during repairs.
• Boiler rooms and utility systems: Heating systems and steam pipes were frequently wrapped in asbestos insulation, which degraded over time.
• Administrative and training buildings: Drywall, joint compound, and fireproofing materials commonly contained asbestos.

When asbestos materials age or are disturbed during maintenance, renovation, or demolition, tiny fibers can be released into the air. Inhalation of these fibers is known to cause serious illnesses such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis, often decades after the initial exposure.

Risks to Personnel and Families

Military personnel stationed at Mather may have encountered asbestos in daily life, whether working on aircraft, performing building maintenance, or simply living in base housing. Family members of service members may also have been secondarily exposed when asbestos fibers were brought home on clothing. Civilian employees and contractors, who often handled construction, renovation, and cleanup, also faced risks.