The Athlete's Lawyer

The 2012 Herndon Aquathon will be in memory of our dear friend & neighbor Jack Corkey, shown here with Ken & Doug Landau, at the Herndon Virginia Great Harvest Bakery

Dear Friends, Team mates, Training partners & Poseurs:

So that you can race in warm conditions in a unique event that was contested in the 1990s, we are bringing back the Herndon Community Center Aquathon in memory of our dear friend Jack Corkey of Great Harvest Bread. You can even shower, hot tub, sauna, work out more after !

WHEN: Saturday, February 25, 2012 Read the rest of this entry »

Plenty of post-race treats for Herndon Sport & Health "World Gators" Aaron Church (3rd overall) & Doug Landau (1st place over 50) at the Virginia Triathlon Series Warrenton Sprint

Fighting the rolling hills of Fauquier County on their racing bikes, a pair of multisport athletes from Herndon’s Worldgate athletic club were prize winners Sunday.  The Warrenton Triathlon is one of the final races in the Virginia Triathlon Series (“VTS”), and it presents a chance for Northern Virginia triathletes to move up in the rankings.  Herndon Sport & Health Club masters swimmers Aaron Church and Doug Landau competed in one of the latest additions to the Virginia Triathlon Series Sunday.  These two “World Gators” enjoyed the facilities at the state of the art Warrenton Aquatic and Recreation Facility (“WARF”).

The race began with a 300 yard “snake”  swim inside the aquatic center.   The 11 mile bike course was rolling, on Lee Highway in Fauquier County, with a few tough hills in it.  The race ends up with a hilly 2 loop 5K run around soccer fields adjacent to the aquatic center, located at 800 Waterloo Road in Warrenton.  The finish is an uphill 100 yard dash !  Spectators can follow all of the swim from the WARF balcony and much of the run, which is on the side of a hill.  Competitors were able to shower and change afterwards.  All competitors, from ages 10-70 received Zorrel technical shirts, great post race food, and as always a great atmosphere to bring the family.  Plenty of volunteers and police protection made for a safe bike ride and run course.

Usually excited for the swim to get underway, Reston triathletes will not compete in Lake Audubon this weekend due to safety issues

Due to the torrential rains that have struck Northern Virginia, the dedicated directors of the annual Reston Triathlon have decided to eliminate the swim for only the second time in the popular multisport event’s history.  The following was posted on the Reston Triathlon Association‘s web site:

Swim portion of the 28th annual Reston Triathlon has been canceled. Our lake official has been checking the lake since yesterday and has come to the decision that in the interest of safety it is not safe to swim in the lake…there is widespread disappointment but “Safety Is First.”

All racers will be notified by email of the cancellation and of plans for a replacement run as soon as the board has met to determine the details.

Triathlon Trial Lawyer, All American Triathlete and Virginia Triathlon Series (“VTS”) race sponsor Doug Landau adds that racers should also be mindful of debris on the roads when cycling, and perhaps “preview” the course once again since the storms have ended.  Tight turns with washout, leaves, bark and other organic matter on the pavement and an early morning start can all contribute to less traction on the road surface.  “Let’s all bike safely – the Reston Triathlon race directors cannot sweep every centimeter of the race course, and road flooding requires extra vigilance on the part of all participants.” adds Herndon Reston lawyer Landau.  “In light of these changed conditions and as I have at least 2 more VTS competitions this season, I am not going to be putting the ‘pedal to the metal’ Sunday.  I encourage all participants to enjoy the race, the shwag and the comraderie and ride safely.”

Herndon injury attorney and Masters Triathlete Doug Landau was told he was “crazy” for inviting potential clients, existing clients and their friends and families to come see him “in action.” Other experienced trial lawyers attending the American Association for Justice’s National Trial Lawyers convention in New York City this summer, confessed that they would never consider having injured, disabled and out of work clients come and learn how and where their cases would be decided. Yet that is exactly what we do every at the Herndon law firm ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. Here are cases, meetings, volunteer work, athletic competition and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs currently on the calendar this Fall:

• 9/7/2011 Manassas, VA: Virginia Workers Compensation hearing, slip and fall at a federal facility job accident case.
• 9/8/2011 Washington, DC: Trial Lawyers Association of DC “Meeting with the Judges” (CLE), at The University Club, 16th Street, NW, preceded by a program introducing the OsiriX software for Macintosh computers
• 9/09/2011 Alexandria, VA; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, Motion in Limine (to exclude irrelevant evidence) in union construction plumber’s shopping mall on the job slip and fall case
• 9/10/2011 Reston, VA: South Lakes High School, bicycle helmet safety inspection and athlete registration volunteer for the Reston Triathlon
• 9/11/2011 Reston, VA: Lake Audubon, compete in Reston Triathlon,
• 9/15/2011 Washington, DC: Social Security Administration, Disability claim before an Administrative Law Judge
• 9/18/2011 Winchester, VA: Warrenton Aquatic & Recreation Facility, compete in Virginia Triathlon Series (VTS)
• Sprint Triathlon, currently in 4th place in the Age Group, Landau hopes to again win the Series by accumulating enough points in addition to Masters and Age Group awards. ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. is a sponsor of the series.
• 9/20/2011 Fairfax, VA: Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse, Ethics and Social Networking CLE program sponsored by the Fairfax County Bar Association.
• 9/22/2011 Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Workers Compensation hearing, job vehicle accident case, late payment penalties
• 9/22-25/2011 Atlanta, GA: American Association for Justice (AAJ) College, Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, (CLE)
• 10/02/2011 Spotsylvania, VA: Acorn Sprint Triathlon, Lake Anna Beach marina, final competition in the Virginia Triathlon Series, Bumpass, VA
• 10/03/2011 Washington, DC: Social Security Administration, Disability claim before an Administrative Law Judge
• 10/5-6/2011 Monroe, LA: Social Security Administration, Disability claim before an Administrative Law Judge on a case remanded from an unfavorable decision for a client for whom ABRAMS LANDAU was successful in his car crash and related workers comp claims.
• 10/6-9/2011 Bergen County, NJ: Client visit, returning to volunteer at High School Parents Weekend, McLean, VA
• 10/10/2011 Richmond, VA: Mediation in a Virginia Workers Compensation claim for a disabled nurse with a Tidewater area insurance defense firm, even though the office is closed for the Columbus Day holiday.
• 10/12/2011 Fairfax, VA: Virginia Workers Compensation hearing, health care provider’s slip and fall brain injury case; the original claim was won, but when additional brain surgery was needed, the insurance company disputed that it was related to the original, on the job fall on the ice and refused to pay the medical bills.
• 10/13/2011 Fairfax, VA: District Court of Fairfax County, monitoring the Traffic Court prosecution of the defendant whose unsafe driving caused permanent injury and death.
• 10/15-16 Williamsburg, VA: Old Dominion University Department of Accounting, compete in annual 5km.
• 10/17/2011 Fairfax, VA: Virginia Workers Compensation hearing, nurse’s car crash back and head injury case. The original claim was won (covering her spinal surgery) and her car crash liability case settled for policy limits, but when additional traumatic brain injury case was sought, the insurance company disputed that it was related to the original, on the job crash and refused to pay the medical bills.
• 10/19/2011 Manassas, VA: Virginia Workers Compensation hearing for a Michigan client with a back injury
• 11/3/2011 Fairfax, VA: Virginia Workers Compensation hearing, after winning permanent and total disability hearing against the Department of Disability Services, seeking van modifications and other additional benefits
• 11/4-6/2011 Lakeville, CT: Volunteer Leadership Weekend, The Hotchkiss School
  nurse’s car crash back and head injury case.
• 11/11-13/2011 Richmond, VA: Virginia Trial Lawyers Advanced Workers Compensation retreat, (CLE) Courtyard by Marriott West
• 11/12/2011 Richmond, VA: Arthur Ashe Athletic Center Health Expo and Richmond Sportsbackers Marathon Festival, compete in 8km. road race.
• 11/18/2011 Herndon, VA: Herndon Community Center Annual Turkey Trot 5km cross country race (in the afternoon, just blocks from the Landau Law Shop !)
• 11/23/2011 Glen Ridge, NJ: United States Track & Field-NJ Championship Road Race, Ashenfelter 8K Classic, benefiting the Glen Ridge Educational Foundation (Landau Law Shop closed for the Thanksgiving holiday)
• 11/30/2011 Colorado Springs, CO: Triathlon World Championship Age Group Sprint Distance qualifiers, like All American Doug Landau, international paperwork for competition in Auckland, New Zealand, October 14-22, 2012

If you want to see Triathlon Trial Lawyer Landau “in action” at these or other events, please e-mail or call the Landau Law Shop (703-796-9555) beforehand, as insurance companies settle on the eve of trial, judges postpone trials and races get canceled due to weather or other unforeseen events, and your time is valuable.  Several races and court cases (including a complex Interpleader for insurance policy limits in Chesterfield Circuit Court as the result of a single car crash injuring several international exchange students) have already been cancelled and postponed due to Hurricane Irene.  Herndon Reston area injury lawyer hopes to see you soon !

On Sunday, May 22, join fellow cyclist’s Virginia and Maryland bikers for Bike DC, Washington and Arlington’s extraordinary community bike ride.  Enjoy 20 miles of biking around the Nation’s Capital with your family and friends on car-free streets, highways and parkways.  The ride begins on the National Mall in front of the U. S. Capital.  Bike up Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House and cross the Potomac River into Virginia on the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge and Interstate 66.  Yes, the freeway will be bicycles only for Bike DC !  You won’t have to worry about HOV or Slugs !

Enjoy the views of Washington and Georgetown from the George Washington Memorial Parkway.  Pedal your bike past some of the Nation’s most treasured sites: the Marine Corps Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, the Pentagon and the Air Force Memorial.  Cross the Potomac River again to reach the finish line back in Washington, DC.  And  don’t forget to bring your camera; you may gat pictures that you will want to show your friends and family.  We are truly lucky toy live in such a scenic, unpolluted area.  Make the most of the day and enjoy the sights, exercise and your fellow two-wheeled travelers.

Mayor Tim Taylor and Doug Landau after the Strasburg Duathlon in Shenandoah County Virginia, where Herndon injury attorney Landau was the fastest competitor over 50, and 6th overall.

As cyclists raced on the roads of Strasburg, Mt. Olive, Woodstock, Mt. Hebron in Shenandoah County, Virginia, Town Officials were able to breathe a sigh of relief as Mother Nature got the rain out of her system on Friday!  The first-ever Strasburg Duathlon saw top competitors from the Worldgate Sport & Health Club in Herndon Virginia as well as racers from the Winchester Wheelmen, TriPerformance and other teams.  There were bikers from Texas, New England and West Virginia.  Timing services were provided by Tri-Performance, LLC; Brian and Alissa Crow and their crew did their usual terrific job, with results, including splits and average speeds, posted shortly after the racers’ finish.

Strasburg’s Mayor, Tim Taylor and Leila Orndorff, Chairwoman of the Strasburg 250th Anniversary Committee handed out awards to the prize winners.  Mayor Taylor also raced in the event; so we all cheered for an elected official who can “walk (run and bike) the walk as well as talk the talk” !!!  This was a fun, early season race, that I would recommend to anyone looking to get in a challenging bike-weighted event before the spring outdoor triathlon season begins.  Click here for full results.

Top runner Aaron Church and Doug Landau competed in the Strasburg Duathlon

Tomorrow’s Strasburg Duathlon may be a race director’s nightmare if the rain, wind and cold weather continue.  Tri-Performance‘s Brian Crow is known for quality events and careful planning.  Yet Mother Nature does not always cooperate, and athletes’ safety is always an athletic event planner’s priority.   This event is a 5k run (3.2 miles), 30k bike (19 miles), and 5K run (3.2 miles).  The runs are on trails by the river, with some running on local streets near the Park Pool.  The bicycle course is a big loop, with lots of hills and turns.  In addition, the bikers must cross some railroad tracks and share the road with early morning motorists.  Needless to say, while the local  Strasburg, Mt. Olive, Woodstock, Mt. Hebron and Shenandoah police will be at critical intersections, riders and motorists alike will have to keep a weather eye out for each other in order to avoid crashes.

Landau gets a prize at Broadlands, but no PR

Thinking he had ripped a new PR at today’s Sprint Triathlon, Broadlands bike injury lawyer Doug Landau went through the first loop in 15 minutes and cruised into the transition area at almost exactly 30 minutes.  However, the course was slightly shorter than the advertised 12 miles, so instead of 24 MPH average bike speed, the Herndon and Loudoun lawyer cycled 22.8 MPH.  Nevertheless, the Loudoun, Prince William and Fairfax bike crash injury lawyer finished in the top 10 out of some 270 multipart racers.  Starting in the 60th position, Landau’s goggles failed immediately during the well run 400 Meter outdoor pool swim.  The triathletes divided into “odds” and “evens” and started every 15 seconds according to their swim seed time.  Landau predicted 7:40 and managed 8:08.  The distance was a 400 meter “snake swim.”  In other words, swimmers moved into the next lane after each lap.  So, for those who swim in 25 yard pools, this was akin to almost 19 lengths.

College roommates team up to "tri" the Broadlands Sprint Triathlon in Loudoun County, Virginia

The Infinitive Broadlands Sprint Triathlon ends with a 5k run.  In the August running of the “Dog Days of Summer” triathlon along the same course, no one broke 20 minutes.  The run is an out & back through Broadlands trails, tunnels and sidewalks. There were water aid stations that caused Landau’s Newton racing flats to lose their sockliner !  The thin “floor” of the shoes quickly turned into “sponges,’ soaking up sweat and water thrown on his head.  But, using clear iodine and running barefoot helped the hardened triathlete – trial lawyer so that he had no blisters after the race.  In fact, Landau went for a swim to “cool down” after the race and cheering on other finishers, including Alexandria General District Court Judge !  “Oyez, Oyez, Order on the Course !”

TriPerformance Coach Crow at the Inifinitive Broadlands Triathlon packet pick up & bike safety inspection

Race Director and TriPerformance Coach Brian Crow runs a smooth race, which starts with a well-staffed pre race packet pick up.  Pre-Race Packet pick up, bicycle and helmet safety checks, and course tours and pre-race meetings all help triathletes and bikers avoid injury and crashes.  Broadlands, South Riding and Warrenton Sprint Triathlon prizewinner and cyclist Doug Landau of the ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. law firm in Herndon Virginia notes that there is a clear advantage to knowing the course.  “I can ride faster AND more safely on a course where I know the turns, hills, road conditions and transition area.  In over 25 years of multi-sport racing, I have seen too many cyclists and triathletes get hurt when they did not know when to turn, shift gears or slow down.”

A bike crash and still 3rd place overall !

[N.B. In the Broadlands Sprint Triathlon, a 16-year-old crashed, but managed to finish in 3rd place (see photo, left); another racer did an extra lap on the 2 loop course; and, another cyclist went off the course and may have received a penalty.]

Sunday’s race raises funds for the Infinitive Foundation, which was established to support programs focused on health and enhancing family life. Proceeds from the Infinitive Race Series will support local and US Military families. Infinitive Infinitive is a Northern Virginia based management consultancy that delivers Change Engineering expertise. Click for more information about Infinitive.

Handing out flyers and information about the Brain Injury Association's "Miracle Mile" events at the GMU Fairfax campus

The 7th Annual Kit Callahan’s Miracle Mile, 10K Run/Walk will take place at George Mason University’s main Fairfax Campus.  In 2009, over 600 people came out to participate, support the Brain Injury Association and celebrate Kit Callahan’s miracle.  The event is more than just races, it is an opportunity to support and celebrate the success stories of survivors of brain injuries and to help raise money for Brain Injury Services.  As part of the planning committee, Doug Landau and the other volunteers are trying to make this event one of the premier races in Northern Virginia.  The “Miracle Mile” race committee always wants to expand the Brain Injury Awareness Fair to educate people of all ages.  In addition, the Fun Run was added for our younger participants!  Doug Landau helped with the start of the kid’s mile race (see photo gallery) and ran along with the children.

Last year, not only did we meet our goals, we exceeded our expectations.  The Volunteers for this year’s “Miracle Mile” look forward to the 7th Annual Kit Callahan’s Miracle Mile on September 26, 2010.  Doug Landau took time away from the ABRAMS LANDAU “Law Shop” in order to be on the GMU campus handing out flyers for the Fall 10km and mile events, answering questions about traumatic brain injury (“TBI”), closed head trauma and disability and promoting this Brain Injury Association athletic competition.  We hope that you and your friends, family members and co-workers will join us for a fun jaunt around GMU.

BRAIN INJURY FACTS!

• Every 23 seconds, one person in the United States sustains a Traumatic Brain Injury.
• An estimated 3.17 million Americans currently live with disabilities resulting from Traumatic Brain Injury.
• More than 50,000 people die every year as a result of Traumatic Brain Injury.
• Brain Injury is the leading cause of death and disability in children.

For those affected by a brain injury, life changes in a second.  The moment a car accident occurs, the second a fall takes place, the instant a stroke happens–life as they knew it is forever changed.