TheAthletesLawyer

In an event that raises funds for the Special Olympics, put on by the wonderful crew of “FinsWheelsand Feet” Doug Landau, the “TriathlonTrialLawyer,” began his 2008 Triathlon Season.

After several days of rain and cold weather, some participants were in wetsuits for the short outdoor pool swim ! The race began with a 250 meter serpentine swim. Passed repeatedly in the frigid pool, Landau managed a pedestrian 4:55.39 for 63rd. After his “pokey” swim, The Athletes Lawyer passed many of those who swam faster in the first transition in a blistering 00:41.70. Next, the racers biked 20km., completing 2 laps through the rolling Virginia Run Community located across the street from Bull Run Elementary School in Centreville, VA. 33:38.9 for an average speed of 22.1 mph, for 10th best bike split. T-2 was on frozen feet and took 1:06.45. Running on what felt like stilts was difficult, but Landau managed 6:22 pace for the last 2 miles and a 20:30.45 5km. to post the 15th fastest split. With a total time of 1:00:52.8, the Triathlon Trial Lawyer was 8th overall against some 400 other athletes. The Herndon Reston area personal injury and disability lawyer was also 2nd in his age group, in his first Triathlon of 2008. Having finished 10th in 2005 and 8th in 2006, Landau was pleased with his performance, if not his time and age group placing.

A 7:30 AM start in 30-degree weather and a 1 mile uphill start was definitely not the best conditions for TheAthletesLawyer, who tends to race best in hot, flat and fast conditions. In fact one of the participants noted that weather any colder than this can cause brain damage and frost-bite to those used to warmer conditions. This cross-country run, which has traditionally been sponsored by the Garver Law Office in Reston, has seen

Triathlon Trial Lawyer Landau of Herndon sometimes win and sometimes finish as the runner-up. This sporting event is sponsored by friend. co-counsel and sometime training partner Steve Garver. In prior years, the “Triathlon Trial Lawyer” was runner up to 4:17 miler Davis Barry, who is now a senior in high school, and the son of the Allen firm’s managing partner Doug Barry of Fredericksburg. However, with the younger Barry out injured, The Athletes Lawyer was able to hold off 2 challengers, whose combined age was still less than half of Landau’s ! While the lead changed several times in the opening miles, and Landau took several wrong turns on the hilly, cross country course, he managed to come in first place and then run back to escort his wife and daughter to the finish line ! He is shown here with his wife and eldest daughter, who has been training at Virginia Tech with her brother in order to be ready for next week’s Ukrops Munument Avenue 10km. in Richmond, which is also the 2008 National 10km. Road Race Championship.

If you have been in a bike crash or struck by a car while walking in a crosswalk or by a truck while running along the road, be sensible about your situation. Short term “heroics” or machismo can lead to long-term suffering. If you’re down, lie still until you or a qualified person can make sure that you are not seriously hurt. Beyond what movement you may need to make certain that you are not bleeding seriously, or that your bones or joints are not broken or dislocated, try not to move for a few minutes. Don’t panic, and if you are lying in a place where you are not in danger if you stay there, take a few minutes to relax, think and collect yourself. Read the rest of this entry »

Local Swim phenom and collegiate swimmer Ryan Gerwig will be taking over for “Coach Katie” at the early morning Masters Swim practices starting this month at Worldgate Sport & Health in Herndon, Virginia. Unlike his predecessor, Coach Ryan will be an “on-deck coach.” Gerwig will not be participating in the workouts. Instead, he will be offering technique tips, and giving splits throughout the workout to help you get the most out of your strokes. Coach Ryan plans on Read the rest of this entry »

When invited to be a guest speaker on a weekly talk radio show, Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau was wondered who might call and what they might say. He need not have worried. One caller from Spotsylvania, Virginia told the listening audience that TheAthletesLawyer, “was the best lawyer” for winning her husband’s second, complicated back and spine injury and surgery case !

Fredericksburg Virginia Radio station WFVA (1230 AM) featured Herndon Injury Lawyer Doug Landau of ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. on its morning “Peoples Law School” program today at 9:00 AM. The affable Triathlon Trial Lawyer answered questions from callers as well as from the host, fellow Virginia Trial Lawyer John Harris. John “Jack” Harris of the Fredericksburg law firm of HARRIS & HARRIS is an outstanding lawyer who started this program in order to educate people as to various aspects of Virginia law. Herndon Reston area injury lawyer Doug Landau fielded questions about: workplace catastrophes, brain injury, paralysis, bike crashes, race wrecks, workers compensation, dog attacks, training mishaps, occupational diseases, defective products, sports accidents, children’s cases, paraplegia, Social Security Disability and other topics, including insurance company practices, working with the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission and tragic cases resulting in suicide.

Clients coming to ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. have noticed the signs for the “Historic Downtown District.”  Some have even gone to the train depot to visit the museum and see evidence of the LandauLawShop’s existence for over 120 years !  Others have walked around the little town center and taken pictures at the caboose, old Town Hall and the general store after visiting with injury lawyer Doug Landau and the ABRAMS LANDAU trial team.  Some clients and their families have gone to Thursday or Friday evening concerts, the summer morning farmers market and other regularly scheduled and special events on the Town Green or in the square behind the old train stop.  The “Friday Night Live” concerts are especially popular, as food and drink are available for purchase.  Furthermore, Doug Landau notes that the back of the new Municipal Center serve as a sound stage, where people can dance right in front of the band on the grass !   You can bring beach chairs, blankets and a picnic that the whole family can enjoy.  If you are able to do so, look around next time you are in town.  You will see that there is a lot more to Herndon than you might think.

Bike crashes can result in facial injuries, dental care and brain injury. There are reported cases of triathletes being struck by cars, tripping and falling entering/exiting the transition areas and getting hit during the swim, all resulting in head injury and dental trauma. After medical concerns are addressed, the extent of the dental injury should be evaluated. A trained dental expert will know what to look for and what kind of testing to administer. Any dental injury has the potential of being serious, and complications may arise weeks or years after the incident. TheAthletesLawyer has seen cases where treatment has been delayed because of an injured athlete’s head trauma, confusion, dizziness, andrenaline and high pain threshold. In the case of dental avulsions and teeth being knocked out, the tooth should be immediately Read the rest of this entry »

Believe it or not, sports competition, even in non-contact endurance sports, can result in dental injury according to TriathlonTrialLawyer Doug Landau. Having been in bike crashes and had head injuries himself, this Virginia trial lawyer knows the importance of prompt medical attention after an accident when competing or training.

Shown here are Dr. Gary Greenspan, an excellent Fair Oaks area dentist, basketball player (and Dodger fantasy camp alum !) and Herndon injury lawyer Doug Landau. While Landau has been lucky in avoiding serious head, brain and dental injury, he has represented clients with significant dental work, disfigurement, plastic surgery, tooth loss, concussions and permanent brain damage from accidents. The severity of a dental injury (fractured, displaced, chipped or avulsed tooth) may not be immediately apparent. Often dental injuries are associated with other head and neck injuries from bike crashes and falls, such as fractured facial bones, concussions, abrasions, bruises, soft tissue lacerations with bleeding, and jaw-joint problems. Thus, the injured athlete should be assessed immediately, if not sooner, for medical complications, including his/her ability to spontaneously maintain an airway, poor control of bleeding, shock, broken bones, and neurological impairment. Delay often complicates later medical and dental treatment.

When helping people with their bike crash, on the job accident, dog bite and other disability cases, Herndon injury lawyer Doug Landau wears a suit to court. While the TriathlonTrialLawyer may visit clients at their homes, hospital rooms and crash sites in more casual clothing, he and the trial team at Abrams Landau, Ltd. know how to dress for Court.  Here Doug Landau is shown after presenting a fatal injury case to the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission in Fairfax, Virginia.  His client was crushed by a vehicle backing up that did not see him during a storm.  So, while this Herndon Virginia trial lawyer may be in a wetsuit, bicycling jacket, Speedo, running singlet or other athletic gear on these pages, rest assured, when TheAthletesLawyer goes to court, he picks his outfits the same way he does on race day - he dresses to win !

The VASA ride, sponsored by the Swedish Embassy was well attended by athletes young and old, new and experienced.  Several neighbors of the Landau Law Shop complete the rides of varying distances, and some triathletes did over 50 miles !  TheAthletesLawyer Doug Landau had visions of frostbite near the end of the journey as he rode his bike through Georgetown.  However, there was a hot, sweet treat waiting for all participants at the House of Sweden.
All rides finished with the Vasa Race’s famed blueberry soup  courtesy of Ekströms, part of Procordia Food AB and the Swedish Embassy.  Here is Doug Landau sampling some of this rare treat.  It definitely helped The Athletes Lawyer “thaw out” after pedalling for close to 4 hours !  The House of Sweden is located at 2900 K Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20007,  along the Georgetown waterfront at the  terminus of the Rock Creek Trail.  It is also accessible from the Mt. Vernon Trail, Martha Custis Trail and Capital Crescent Trail.