Mississippi USERRA Lawyer – Nick Norris, P.A.
If you are a service member and your employer treated you unfairly after your military duty, you may have rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Nick Norris, P.A. helps military members across Mississippi who were fired, demoted, denied reemployment, or mistreated because of their service. Call 601-641-4897 for help.
What Is USERRA?
USERRA is a federal law that protects people who leave their jobs to serve in the military. It covers members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserves, and the Public Health Service. The law makes sure you do not lose your job or rights because you served.
Who Is Protected?
You are protected by USERRA if:
- You left your civilian job for military service.
- You told your employer before leaving (unless you could not).
- Your total service time fits USERRA rules.
- You return and apply for your job within the correct time:
- 1 day for service under 31 days
- 14 days for service between 31–180 days
- 90 days for service over 180 days
Common USERRA Violations in Mississippi
Many service members contact our office because they faced:
- Being fired after returning from military duty
- Not being given their old job back
- Missing promotions because of military time
- Bullying or harassment because of service
- Retaliation for speaking up about USERRA rights
If you experienced any of these problems, your rights may have been violated.
What Employers Must Do
Under USERRA, employers must:
- Return you to your old job or a similar job
- Give you the pay, benefits, and seniority you would have earned
- Provide reasonable accommodations for service-related injuries
- Not punish you for serving or asking about your rights
Employer Excuses — And Why They Often Fail
Employers sometimes try to avoid responsibility by claiming:
- Your job no longer exists
- Your injury is too hard to accommodate
- You did something wrong during service
We know how to challenge these excuses and protect your rights.
What You May Recover
If your employer broke USERRA, you may be able to receive:
- Your job back
- Back pay
- Lost benefits
- Future lost wages
- Compensation for emotional distress
- Attorney’s fees
- Punitive damages for willful violations
There is no statute of limitations for USERRA, but acting fast helps your case.
People Also Ask: USERRA and Military Employment Rights
What does USERRA protect?
USERRA protects the civilian jobs of people who serve in the military. It gives service members the right to return to their job after service, protection from discrimination or retaliation because of military service, and continued health and pension benefits. When you return, you are generally entitled to the position you would have reached had you never left — known as the “escalator” principle.
Can I be fired for serving in the military or National Guard?
No. USERRA makes it illegal for an employer to fire, refuse to hire, deny promotion, or otherwise punish you because of your military service or obligations. Members of the National Guard and Reserves are protected, including for drill weekends, annual training, and deployments.
Do I get my job back after a military deployment?
Usually, yes. If you gave your employer notice, your cumulative service is within USERRA’s 5-year limit, you were released under honorable conditions, and you report back or reapply within the required time after service, your employer must reemploy you — typically in the position you would have held had you not been away.
Is there a deadline to file a USERRA claim?
USERRA has no statute of limitations, so there is no strict filing deadline. Still, acting quickly is important — evidence disappears, memories fade, and lost wages keep adding up. If your USERRA rights were violated, talk to a lawyer as soon as you can.
Why Choose Nick Norris, P.A.?
- We represent workers—never employers
- We fight for Mississippi service members, veterans, and reservists
- We handle federal USERRA cases and work with the DOL VETS program
- We offer free consultations
Call a Mississippi USERRA Lawyer Today
You served your country. Now let us help protect your rights at home. Call Nick Norris, P.A. at 601-641-4897 for a free consultation.
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