Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act

Mississippi USERRA Lawyers Fighting for the Rights of Military Service Members

If you're a military service member who's been denied reemployment, demoted, harassed, or wrongfully terminated after returning from duty, your rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) may have been violated. At The Watson Law Firm, PLLC we fight to protect those who protect us.

🛡 What Is USERRA?

USERRA is a federal law that ensures members of the U.S. Armed Forces—including the Reserves, National Guard, and commissioned corps of the Public Health Service—can serve their country without losing their civilian employment rights. The law covers:

• Reemployment rights

• Protection from discrimination and retaliation

• Right to be reinstated to the same or comparable position

✅ Who Is Covered?

You are protected by USERRA if:

• You leave a civilian job to perform military service.

• You provide proper notice to your employer (with limited exceptions).

• Your total military service does not exceed five cumulative years (with several statutory exceptions).

• You apply to return to work within required timeframes:

  • 1 day if service was under 31 days

  • 14 days if service was 31–180 days

  • 90 days if service was over 180 days

🚫 Common USERRA Violations

We've represented clients across Mississippi who experienced:

• Termination during or after military service

• Denial of reemployment or promotion

• Hostile work environment based on service obligations

• Retaliation for asserting USERRA rights

These are not just unfair—they're unlawful.

🧭 What Employers Must Do

Under USERRA, employers must:

• Reinstate returning service members to the same or comparable job.

• Provide accrued seniority, pay, and benefits as if the employee had never left.

• Accommodate service-connected disabilities.

• Refrain from retaliating against anyone who exercises their USERRA rights.

⚖️ Employer Defenses

While employers are generally obligated to rehire, they may assert defenses such as:

• Changed circumstances (e.g., business closure or job elimination unrelated to service)

• Undue hardship in accommodating a disabled service member

• Disqualifying conduct by the employee (e.g., dishonorable discharge)

We can help you challenge invalid defenses and hold your employer accountable.

💼 What Remedies Are Available?

If your rights were violated, you may be entitled to:

• Reinstatement to your former or a comparable job

• Back pay and benefits

• Future wages and front pay

• Compensation for emotional distress

• Attorney's fees and litigation costs

• Punitive damages in cases of willful violations

USERRA does not have a statute of limitations, but it's still critical to act quickly to protect your rights.

👨‍⚖️ Why Choose The Watson Law Firm, PLLC?

• Employee-focused: We only represent workers—never employers.

• Military advocates: We've helped veterans and reservists across Mississippi assert their rights.

• Federal experience: We handle USERRA claims in both federal court and through the Department of Labor's VETS program.

• Free consultation: Speak with a lawyer today about your claim.

📞 Contact Our Jackson, MS USERRA Attorneys Today

You've served your country—now let us serve you. If you believe your USERRA rights have been violated, don't wait. Call The Watson Law Firm, PLLC at (601) 968-0000 or use our online contact form for a free consultation.