The Athlete's Lawyer

Leesburg lawyer Doug Landau at the Loudoun Lyme finish line, where participants learned about Tick Borne Illness prevention and treatment

The 3rd Annual Loudoun Lyme 5K was held in the drizzle to raise awareness and money to help find a cure for Lyme disease – the number one tick-borne illness in the United States. The Loudoun Lyme 5K Run, Walk and 1Mile Fun Run took place this Sunday at Loudoun Valley High School in Purcellville, Virginia.

Participants young and old learned a great deal about lyme disease and other insect borne illnesses.  The Loudoun Lyme 5K also featured a 1 mile fun run, children’s activities as well as an information fair to educate the public about Lyme disease, its causes, symptoms and treatments.  Managing only 8th (2nd in his age group) on the rolling loop course, Landau was intrigued by the bug repellent clothing for sale, as well as some of the other exhibitors wares.  Loudoun County lawyer Landau also learned that context matters when using medical abbreviations and scientific terminology, as explained in tomorrow’s post !

“With a denial rate of almost 60%, the NFL’s disability board’s stats rival that of the the Federal Social Security Disability system,” notes Herndon Virginia injury and workers comp lawyer Doug Landau.  Following the heart-breaking series in the Washington Post, Landau was struck at the high incidence of disabling injury mirrored by the large number of litigated claims.  As described by Mel Owens, a former NFL player who is now a California lawyer, “The NFL is in the hurt business. In workers comp they will end up paying for the players’ brains, hearts and livers, as well as orthopedic injuries ,and it’s expensive. But they [the league owners] don’t want to pay at all.”  The NFL Players Association has accused the league of systematically opposing players’ workers compensation claims across the country.

Locally, experienced workers comp lawyers note that the NFL team owner’s Modus Operandi is to contest claims; often bringing team doctors and trainers to testify against the disabled players.  In light of these facts and the great disparity between the players who have contracts that provide for long-term medical care as compared to those whose careers were shorter or less generous, lawyer Landau suggests that a larger fund for future medical care should be something that every team and player contributes to inn proportion to their profits, salary and bonuses.  Otherwise, the burden of caring for these former “Monday Night Football” heroes will fall to the Federal Social Security Disability System or charitable organizations.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recalled Huffy Slider Tricycles sold in January and February of this year at Toys R Us because the handlebars can loosen, causing the rider to lose control of the bike.

If you have purchased this bike, you should stop using it immediately and contact Huffy for a refund.

Contact information for Huffy:

• By  phone: (888) 366-3828 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday
• Online at www.huffybikes.com – click on “Product Recall” on the bottom of the page

If you or someone you know has been injured after using a defective product and there are questions as to what laws apply, email or call Abrams Landau, Ltd. at once (703) 796-9555.

Taking part in the New York City 5 Boro bike tor, Herndon Virginia bicycle accident attorney Doug Landau was able to compare the bike lanes, road surfaces & motorists to those of the Commonwealth

The League of American Bicyclists has released its 2013 ranking of bicycle friendly states.  Virginia comes in at #16, an improvement over 2012′s 17th place.

Click here to see Virginia’s Bicycle Report Card, which, among other measures, provides feedback to the Commonwealth for areas in which the state can improve its bike friendliness

According to an article on Patch cyclists joined legislators in Richmond earlier this year to push for more bike safety Read the rest of this entry »

At the ALS runs for Lou Gehrig’s Disease in Coconut Grove, Florida, Herndon injury lawyer (and University of Miami Law School alum) Doug Landau won his age group in the 5km race

The Annual Coconut Grove ALS races and Walk for Lou Gehrig’s Disease enabled Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau to test his fitness on his former South Florida stomping grounds.  Landau and his University of Miami Law School running buddies used to race in the Grove and throughout Dade and Broward Counties. The 12th annual ALS athletic event gave runners and walkers a chance to experience vibrant and picturesque Coconut Grove as the sun is coming up. Race proceeds are allocated to assist patients in the tri-county area living with ALS. Working closely with the medical community, the race has helped people with ALS obtain the proper care and equipment that they would not otherwise have been able to afford.

Landau again won his age group in the 5km. despite a lackluster time and 27th finish out of over 700 finishers.  Mrs. Landau ran the 10km despite late celebrations for their daughter, who graduated from “the U” the day before and gave the commencement address. Lawyer Landau promises to work harder on his fitness in order to bring his 5km times down below 20 minutes.

Hooray for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) which announced last month that it will participate in this year’s National Bike to School Day!

The largest school system in Virginia will encourage its teachers, staff, and students to bike to school on May 8 in order to promote good health through physical activity, and reduce traffic and pollution in our area.

A fan of the annual “Bike to Work Day” (this year scheduled for Friday, May 17), Herndon attorney Doug Landau applauds FCPS for joining this important cause.

“A bike ride is a great way to start — and end  — the school day,” says Landau.

Doug has a plea for parents:

Make sure your children have a safe route mapped out AND that they wear a helmet every time they get on a bike!!

And one for drivers too:

Be extra vigilant on May 8 — watch for school children on bikes!

For more information about Bike to School Day in Fairfax County, click here.

Set Up Events staff with Virginia Triathlon Series sponsor Doug Landau after the Richmond Sprint race today

The Virginia Triathlon Series, produced by Set Up Events, scored another “first” today.  By moving the Richmond Triathlon Club Sprint Triathlon to the Greater Richmond Aquatic Partnership (“GRAP”), Greg Hawkins & Company were able to treat swimmers to a 400m open water pool swim!  Starting in groups of 10 or less, athletes were able to swim in a pristine warm pool, around buoys in front of a large grandstand. This new venue was the home of the 2008 Olympic Trials pool.  GRAP has, in addition to a “warm up” pool and full locker room for post-race clean up, a 50-meter, 7 foot+ all deep pool.  Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau enjoyed the format, but got buried by the competition despite fast transitions and working hard on the run.  His “Achilles Heel” was Read the rest of this entry »

Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau, shown at a HPC Computrainer Class, copped a cash prize for first place in his age group at the Westfield Sprint Triathlon held at Cub Run and Westfield High School in Chantilly Virginia

The Westfields Business Owners Association, Community Involvement Committee (WBOA-CIC) along with the Westfield H.S. and the Cub Run RECenter came together to support a great race event in Chantilly, Virginia.  The Westfields Sprint Triathlon race distances were: Swim 275 yards – Bike 12 miles – Run 5k.   Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau finished in the top 10, and despite a rather pedestrian run leg, won his age group.  The Herndon injury lawyer was surprised to receive a certificate and a cash prize today.  Lawyer Landau was not able to stay for the awards, and so the money came Read the rest of this entry »

Chilly conditions in Chantilly Virginia greeted competitors in the first Westfields Sprint Triathlon at Cub Run Rec Center

Making use of the wonderful facilities at Cub Run Recreational Center, Westfields High School and the Westfield Conference Center, the race directors of the first Westfields Sprint Triathlon were able to conduct a quality race that was fun for competitors of all levels.  With plenty of friendly volunteers and chip timing for accurate splits, the Westfields Tri had something for everyone.  The Westfields Triathlon teamed up with Share Our Strength organization to help end childhood hunger in the USA and in particular right here in Virginia.

Race entry fees helped fund a generous donation to support the end of childhood hunger. The race began just after 7 AM, and though the day was sunny, the temperature was Read the rest of this entry »

Give a wave as you bike by our office on “Bike to Work Day” this May 17!

This year’s Bike to Work day is Friday, May 17.  Held annually, this event is a celebration of biking as a clean, fun, and healthy way to get to work.  Click here to register.

With spring weather finally making its way to Virginia, Herndon bicycle accident lawyer Doug Landau is ready to drag his bike out of its winter storage and hit the roads and paths on his way to work.

“I love Bike to Work Day!” says Doug.  “I love it for lots of reasons.  1) I really enjoy biking; 2) I think everyone could always use more exercise; 3) biking is environmentally friendly; and, 4) I enjoy seeing bike-to-workers ride right by the Abrams Landau office in downtown Herndon!”

If you are biking to work through Herndon, you can not miss the Abrams Landau office — it is the house that looks like a grandma’s house, at the corner of Station and Center streets.  Please wave as you ride by!