TheAthletesLawyer

Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau ready for his 24 hour Holter Monitor heart testing

Because competitive athletes such as TriathlonTrialLawyer Doug Landau may expose themselves to an upper limit of physical and mental stress, regular medical and physiological testing is part of their annual program. Today he was fitted out for ambulatory ECG (Holter) monitoring, which is used for trained athletes who hardly break a sweat during the “stress tests” given to most patients by leading cardiovascular specialists and heart doctors. This past fall Landau had undergone extensive cardio- pulmonary testing, including an echocardiagram, stress test, cardiac catheterization and EKG test. Always one to have a low resting pulse and blood pressure, the question was whether there were significant changes upon exercise and activity.

The ABRAMS LANDAU trial lawyer “passed” the holter monitor test, showing almost no irregular heartbeats during a 24-hour period in which he ran, biked and performed a combined bike/run “brick workout,”

This kind of testing in endurance sport athletes and others with any signs or symptoms of breathing or heart rate irregularities is being studied in order to screen and anticipate changes in heart and lung function. According to The American Journal of Sports Medicine, team physicians, coaches, and trainers see athletes as healthy, physically fit, and able to tolerate extremes of physical endurance. “It seems improbable that such athletes may have Read the rest of this entry »

Yesterday’s note “Cyclists need legal protection” struck a note with me, as I had heard about the fatal car crash which left an experienced cyclist dead, while the motorist who struck him down did not even know what she had hit. The HamptonRoads and Pilot newspapers’ website describes some possible responses and solutions, since the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office has investigated and declined to charge the Defendant motorist with homicide or manslaughter.

The Virginia Cycling Association and others met with the prosecutors office to discuss the case and were informed that the that the police reconstruction team found “a significant glare from the rising sun at the spot where she hit Dan” according to the fotobywes blogspot.

My comment to the site reads as follows:

As an avid cyclist, competitive triathlete, former prosecutor and lawyer who helps injured cyclists and other athletes, I understand the wilfullness & intent necessary to charge the Defendant with crimes commensurate with the taking of a life. But why not “Improper Driving” or “Failure to Pay Full Time and Attention” or other similar, lesser included offenses ? With no charges whatsoever, the Defendant’s official DMV record may not reflect this tragic accident, and driving blindly into the sun near where they live (and perhaps travel regularly) posts an unreasonable risk of harm to other cyclists, pedestrians, joggers, skate boarders, rollerbladers and others who may be out at that hour. Do motorists now get a “one free bite” as is the case when dogs attack cyclists, runners and pedestrians ? Doug Landau, ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., Herndon, VA (at the 20 mile marker for the W&OD Trail)

Watching the pros in transition is amazing !

Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau before the start of the 2009 Dextro Sprint Triathlon on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C.

Professional triathletes practice their transitions as though it was a 4th sport.  They work at racing through transitions in order to gain time on the competition and avoid injury, especially when dismounting their bikes in tight quarters.  Precious seconds gained in the transition area can translate into victory in an Olympic or Sprint Distance Triathlon.

Here are the pros coming into T-2 at the DC Dextro ITU Race. This professional triathlon in the heart of the Nation’s Capitol featured Olympians and World Champions racing just a few feet in front of spectators ! TriathlonTrialLawyer Doug Landau got to watch the bike portion of the race with Olympic Gold AND Bronze medalist Simon Whitfield !

Leesburg, Loudoun and Fairfax brain injury and disability lawyer Doug Landau of ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., Herndon, VA

Traumatic Brain Injury is defined by the Brain Injury Association of America as a “blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of the brain.” While not all blows or jolts to the head result in TBI, it’s sometimes hard to tell the severity of a brain injury right away. Doug Landau recently took part in non-profit Brain Injury Services meeting in Leesburg. Landau has helped accident victims who have been diagnosed with head trauma and TBI days, weeks and even months after a car wreck, truck crash or bicycle-motor vehicle impact. A TBI can result in short or long-term independent function problems. Each year in the United States, nearly 1.5 million people will suffer a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Causes for TBI vary from falls from bikes, defective sports equipment, to traffic crashes and physical assaults. Additionally, a large number of military personnel returning from active war zones, such as the war in Iraq, suffer from TBIs, as written about on our LandauInjuryLaw site.

It’s reported that, of those who suffer TBIs, 50,000 die each year. The latest data show that 235,000 are hospitalized with 1.1 million persons treated and released from an emergency department. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 3 million Americans currently have a long-term need, which may be for life, for help in performing daily activities as a result of a TBI. Part of the insidious nature of TBIs is they are often missed in initial medical examinations after a blow or jolt to the head. Symptoms are subtle and can be easily overlooked. Also, the effects of TBI may be delayed and not be evident for days or weeks before they appear. If you or someone you know has suffered from a traumatic brain injury, head trauma or concussion, please call us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., 703-796-9555 or e-mail us at the Landau Law Shop. Let our team take care of yours.

Virginia athete and sports injury lawyer Doug Landau using a hamstring exercise machine

Crushing injuries to hands and fingers due to unguarded, unsafe or poorly made exercise machines is a well-known hazard in the fitness equipment and health club industry. Loudoun, Leesburg and Herndon sports injury lawyer Doug Landau has seen warning labels and instructions in order to reduce the likelihood of crush injuries to hands and fingers on exercise machines all over the world. However, a recent recall by a major exercise equipment manufacturer and supplier has caught the attention of the staff of ABRAMS LANDAU after reports of amputation, laceration and crushing injuries.

Paramount Fitness Corp., of Los Angeles, California has recalled about 150 Leg Curl Machines. A consumer’s hand can become caught between the cylindrical counter weight and the frame of the fitness machine, posing a crushing hazard that can result in lacerations and finger amputation. Paramount has received three reports of incidents, including a finger amputation and two finger-crushing injuries. This recall involves the Paramount Fitness PL2100 leg curl machine. The single station weight machine is designed to exercise the hamstring muscles. Serial numbers involved in this recall include: PL21-9301-000 through PL21-9510-099. The serial number is printed on the back of the weight stack frame on the lower right. Model number PL2100 is printed on the exercise procedure label on the front of the machine. The Paramount Fitness logo is printed vertically on the frame. Consumers should immediately stop using the fitness machines and contact Paramount Fitness to receive a free repair kit. For additional information, contact Paramount Fitness at (888) 825-8905 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PT daily, or visit the Paramount Web site. If you or someone you know was injured by a defective or dangerous sports product, please call us at once at 703-796-9555.

Texting or using a cell phone while on a skate board, roller blading or riding a bicycle will get you a ride in one of these...

Tonight, while returning from the Landau Law Shop, I saw teenagers riding their skate boards AGAINST traffic on West Ox Road by Frying Pan Park. Without helmets, pads or braces. And, they were on their cell phones. They could not see cars, hear cars or avoid any injury if there was even a “near miss.” They were not on the sidewalks or bike paths. A dangerous road + fading daylight + lots of traffic + eyes AND ears AND hands occupied = disaster.

Skate boarders, roller bladers, scooters, roller skiers, cyclists and other recreational athletes and competitive sports enthusiasts need to remember that not everyone on the roads and paths have their heightened sensory awareness or fast reflexes. “Defensive driving” means to be anticipating the worst from others on the road. Athletes on wheels need to keep their eyes and eyes on the road. Losing your senses is senseless and may lead to devastating head injury, brain trauma and permanent disability. Ride, blade and skate safely. No call is worth a “close call” or worse.

At ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., Melissa sometimes works while sitting on a physio ball

Victims of negligently inflicted sports injury often seek to recapture their former fitness through aggressive physical and occupational therapy. Loudoun, Leesburg and Fairfax injury lawyer Doug Landau, like his clients, uses fitness balls for fitness, strength training and flexibility. However, it has come to the attention of the ABRAMS LANDAU staff that about three million fitness balls sold in department stores and sporting good retailers nationwide have been voluntarily recalled. This recall follows 47 reports that the fitness balls unexpectedly burst, in some cases causing injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The balls — carrying the names Bally Total Fitness, Everlast, Valeo and Body Fit – were distributed by EB Brands of Yonkers, NY and made in China. They were sold between May 2000 and February 2009 for between $15 and $30. The 55-, 65- and 75-centimeter sizes are involved in the recall, and were sold with a pump and inflation instructions. The CPSC believes the balls burst because they were over-inflated. Consumers should contact EB Brands by calling 800-624-5671 in order to receive updated inflation instructions. If you or someone you know was injured by a defective or dangerous sports product, please call us at once at 703-796-9555.

Herndon Reston bicycle injury lawyer Doug Landau has helped cyclists whose head injury and brain trauma were missed at the hospital after a crash

After a truck or car crashes into a runner or cyclist may hit the ground and hit their head on the pavement. When initially examined by emergency personnel, they often seem relatively intact. There may be cuts to the head but they may not appear “serious.” Often E.R. doctors conclude the athlete was not seriously injured and assure the patient will be fine. But within the next 24 hours, the injured athlete can woke up vomiting blood. Standing up causes dizziness and nausea. Doctors may then discover fractures in the cyclist’s or runner’s skull and jaw, and damage to the nerves in the ear. Herndon Reston area bicycle injury lawyer Doug Landau is aware of cases where the injured victim has been transferred to the Intensive Care Unit, where they stayed for days under close observation in the neurology ward.

Although many young athletes do recover from car and truck crash injuries, an the cuts and “road rash” heals, they are often left with a Traumatic Brain Injury (”TBI”). Landau points out that there are long-term effects. Athletes with TBI may experience cognitive defects including difficulties with attention and memory, confusion, sleep disorder, emotional disorders, speech and language problems, and sensory and perceptual problems. They also might experience physical problems such as chronic pain and seizures. TBI also can increase the risk of developing conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other brain disorders that can become more prevalent with age. If you or an athlete you know has been in a crash and suffered a head injury or brain trauma, contact us at 703-796-9555.