Call Us Today - It's Free!
What is USERRA? Our Lawyers Explain - morgan and morgan
Contact us today

USERRA Law

What is USERRA? Our Lawyers Explain

five stars
1238 reviews
Contact us today
  • $15 Billion+ Won
  • 800+ Lawyers Nationwide
  • The Fee is FreeTM, Only Pay If We Win
  • America’s Largest Injury Law Firm
  • Protecting Families Since 1988
USERRA Law

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) is a federal regulation that protects the employment rights of current and former members of the Armed Forces, Reserves, National Guard and similar services. Enacted in 1994, USERRA establishes guidelines that employers must follow in regard to the employment, reemployment, retention and benefits of uniformed service members. The Act is intended to minimize the disadvantages that might otherwise be experienced by an individual who needs to be absent from his or her civilian employment to serve in the armed forces.

If you are a uniformed service member and feel that your employment or reemployment rights have been violated, or that you're facing military discrimination, fill out our free case evaluation form today.

Free Case Evaluation

Tell us about your situation so we can get started fighting for you. We tailor each case to meet our clients' needs.
Have You Been Denied Reemployment Upon Returning from Service?
Video Thumbnail gVhBpgLPPt4

FAQ

Morgan & Morgan

  • Defining a Uniformed Service Member

    Under USERRA, a uniformed service member is anyone who performs duties, voluntarily or involuntarily, in military services such as:

    • Army
    • Navy
    • Air Force
    • Coast Guard
    • Marine Corps
    • Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
    • Reserve components of any of the above services
    • Air National Guard or Army National Guard (Individuals who are training or serving)

    The USERRA states that employees in the above services have the right to fairness in their civilian careers, prompt reinstatement of their former position, and freedom from discrimination based on military service.

  • Employer Responsibilities Under the Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act

    Regardless of size, all public and private U.S. employers must follow the regulations set forth by USERRA. If the individual meets the requirements of a uniformed service member, USERRA mandates that the employer offers the following:

    Reinstatement of healthcare: Individuals on military leave must be offered the same benefits as those on other types of leave.

    Protection from discharge: Once reemployed, service members cannot be fired without just cause (also known as wrongful discharge). The length of this protection is based on the amount of time spent in the uniformed services. Individuals who completed 181 or more days of military service cannot be fired without cause for one year after reemployment. Employees who completed 30 to 180 days of service have six months of protection from discharge without cause. No discharge protection is offered to those who served 30 days or less.

    Freedom from discrimination: Employers cannot discriminate against current or former military personnel in regard to hiring, firing, reemployment, promotion and benefits. Additionally, employers cannot retaliate against individuals who exercise their rights under USERRA.

    Additional rights employers must offer current and former service members include:

    • The ability to participate in military service
    • Timely reemployment after the military service
    • Accumulation of seniority, including pension plan benefits
    • Training and retraining (includes accommodations for disabled individuals)
  • Eligibility for Reemployment Under the USERRA

    Generally, if a worker leaves his or her job to join the military service, they are eligible for employment under USERRA as long as:

    • The employer had adequate notice of the individual's decision to join the services
    • The employee returns to the job in compliance with USERRA guidelines
    • The employee did not leave the service because of a disqualifying discharge (i.e. the individual was separated from the service because of bad conduct)

    In addition to meeting the above requirements, the employee must return to work within a certain period of time. If the worker completed one to 30 days of service, they must report to their employer on the next scheduled work day. This guideline offers eight hours rest for these employees and considers travel time from the military site to place of employment. Workers performing 31 to 180 days of service must apply for reemployment within 14 days following completion of service. Those serving 181 days or more have 90 days to reapply.

    For veterans unsure of the eligibility requirements and potential benefits under the Act, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has created an “elaws” USERRA Advisor to guide them through the most important requirements.

  • What if my employer doesn't follow the law?

    As a military service member, you have rights in regard to your employment and reemployment. If you feel these rights have been violated, contact our USERRA attorneys today by filling out our free, no-obligation consultation form. Employees treated improperly under USERRA may be able to receive injunctive relief (require employer to comply with USERRA), compensation for lost wages or benefits due to the violation, and even possible additional damages if the violation of the Act was willful. A military discrimination lawyer may be the key to getting the compensation you're owed.

Hear From Our Clients

We’ve helped over 300,000 families across the United States. See what they have to say.

Video Thumbnail 51bcb06a38fd51350ab04f248c54649b
Marlon
Car Accident
5 stars

Our Personal Injury Lawyers
Have Over 55,000
5-Star Google Logo Reviews

Krista M.
They were caring and concerned about my case. They fought harder then I had intercepted. Communicated in many ways to make sure I understood. Thank you.
Video Thumbnail c365385942fb26326e4995f6183d63aa
Georgia
Workers' Compensation
Nancy H.
The staff was amazing, they treated me with the utmost respect and professionalism. Kept me informed every step of the way about my case. Always asked how I was doing and was prompt with responding to any of my questions or concerns. They are a great team!
Video Thumbnail 419e5af5085d2d39d047d1f86b8ab922
Antonia
Premises Liability
Mike J.
Morgan and Morgan is truly the best law firm! PERIOD! You could consider yourself blessed when they take your case. Immediately, you can breathe. Anxiety goes from a 10 to 0! I needed them 3 TIMES! I wish I didn’t have to hire an attorney but my family and I were blessed. We won every single time! Insurance companies truly know that they will take it to court! I got settlements for all 3 lawsuits. Never stepped a foot into a courtroom. Thank you so much Morgan & Morgan!
Video Thumbnail e583ee5c147184b7fadd90d29428fd88
Todd
Home Insurance Claim
Kourtney W.
The entire Morgan & Morgan team, including my case manager Michelle Hill, have been a blessing! From the first phone call I made to them, they have been extremely compassionate, very helpful, and 100% professional. I would recommend Morgan & Morgan to anyone because THEY CARE!
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
See More

The Fee is FreeTM Only Pay If We Win.

1

Free case evaluation icon

Submit a Free Case Evaluation

You can find out if you qualify immediately.

2

Incoming icon

Get a Call From Us

Our specialists will walk you through your case and collect all the right information to win your case.

3

Woman with computer icon

Let Us Get to Work

Our specialized attorneys will handle every step of your case from start to finish. You don’t pay until we win.

Call Us Now

See Our Nationwide Results

We’ve won over $15 Billion for our clients in cases of all types. Let us work hard for you.

Car icon
$120,000,000
Car Accident
Medical Malpractice icon
$28,450,105
Medical Malpractice
Clock and money icon
$820,000
Unpaid Overtime
Tobacco icon
$91,000,000
Tobacco
Slip & Fall icon
$3,140,804
Slip & Fall
Premises Liability icon
$8,800,000
Premises Liability
Social Security icon
$1,331,245
Social Security
Civil Rights icon
$1,800,000
Civil Rights
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Last updated on May 11, 2023

How Can We Help You Today?

Free Case Evaluation

Tell us about your situation so we can get started fighting for you. We tailor each case to meet our clients' needs.