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| Call for a FREE case evaluation: (713) 255-2055 |
| Arbitration Provision Defeated by Kelly Law Firm!! |
From ABC News:
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A local woman who has been an advocate for victims of
sex crimes just returned from Washington after a Senator amended a bill in her
honor. Jamie Leigh Jones says she was gang raped by co-workers while working
for a contractor in Iraq. She hopes to have her day in court and that others can
follow.
Jamie Leigh Jones says it's still painful to recall how she was drugged and brutally
gang raped by co-workers in Iraq.
"I feel that every tear that I have shed has been worth it, has been worth me
retelling the story because I've actually created a change for individuals that
become victims of crime," said Jones.
Four years later, she never imagined a Senator would amend a bill in her honor.
"That is a huge step for victim rights. I'm very thrilled and very thankful for
Senator Franken," said Jones.
Freshman Senator Al Franken's amendment to a defense bill would guarantee
employees of military contractors access to the court system if they are sexually
assaulted and would freeze military contracts to any company that fails to
cooperate.
The now wife, mother of a one-year-old, and elementary school teacher works as
an advocate for other victims and says no one should have to fight for due
process.
"I feel that it is necessary to help mothers, wives and daughters know what is
going on before they get thrown into the same situation," said Jones.
Jones says she hadn't met Sen. Franken until she traveled to Washington this
week. The former contract worker has sued KBR and its former parent company
Halliburton over her claims of what happened in July of 2005. The company
claims she signed paperwork upon employment that limits her to private
arbitration.
"Really if you look at the definition of arbitration and you compare that with the
definition of the old English star chamber, they are the same thing. We have
simply come full circle to abusive rule by the powerful and we now call it
arbitration," said Todd Kelly, Jones' attorney.
KBR has disputed many of the claims Jones has made and said in a statement,
"The litigation involving Ms. Jones is ongoing. As such it would be inappropriate
to comment on the specifics of the case. KBR intends to vigorously defend the
allegations raised in each case, which we believe are without merit."
Just last month a panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Jones should
get a trial. KBR has now returned fire on that decision.
Opponents of Sen. Franken's amendment argue that arbitration can be better and
less expensive for employees. Franken's amendment passed 68-30. It is part of the
2010 defense appropriations bill and must still pass through the House of
Representatives.
sex crimes just returned from Washington after a Senator amended a bill in her
honor. Jamie Leigh Jones says she was gang raped by co-workers while working
for a contractor in Iraq. She hopes to have her day in court and that others can
follow.
Jamie Leigh Jones says it's still painful to recall how she was drugged and brutally
gang raped by co-workers in Iraq.
"I feel that every tear that I have shed has been worth it, has been worth me
retelling the story because I've actually created a change for individuals that
become victims of crime," said Jones.
Four years later, she never imagined a Senator would amend a bill in her honor.
"That is a huge step for victim rights. I'm very thrilled and very thankful for
Senator Franken," said Jones.
Freshman Senator Al Franken's amendment to a defense bill would guarantee
employees of military contractors access to the court system if they are sexually
assaulted and would freeze military contracts to any company that fails to
cooperate.
The now wife, mother of a one-year-old, and elementary school teacher works as
an advocate for other victims and says no one should have to fight for due
process.
"I feel that it is necessary to help mothers, wives and daughters know what is
going on before they get thrown into the same situation," said Jones.
Jones says she hadn't met Sen. Franken until she traveled to Washington this
week. The former contract worker has sued KBR and its former parent company
Halliburton over her claims of what happened in July of 2005. The company
claims she signed paperwork upon employment that limits her to private
arbitration.
"Really if you look at the definition of arbitration and you compare that with the
definition of the old English star chamber, they are the same thing. We have
simply come full circle to abusive rule by the powerful and we now call it
arbitration," said Todd Kelly, Jones' attorney.
KBR has disputed many of the claims Jones has made and said in a statement,
"The litigation involving Ms. Jones is ongoing. As such it would be inappropriate
to comment on the specifics of the case. KBR intends to vigorously defend the
allegations raised in each case, which we believe are without merit."
Just last month a panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Jones should
get a trial. KBR has now returned fire on that decision.
Opponents of Sen. Franken's amendment argue that arbitration can be better and
less expensive for employees. Franken's amendment passed 68-30. It is part of the
2010 defense appropriations bill and must still pass through the House of
Representatives.
