The Athlete's Lawyer

The view from the W&OD Trail in Herndon

Lines stretched passed the Herndon Dairy Queen and along the W&OD Trail today as people waited in line to sample local wines, beers and hear a variety of musical artists.  The Herndon Town Green and a perfect weather day made for a superb day.

Doug Landau was on his way to the Landau Law Shop 2 blocks away when he noticed downtown Herndon was set up for great music, crafts, food, 12 wineries and, new this year, micro-brews.

Crafts tents stretched to the Caboose at the 20 mile marker of the W&OD Trail in Herndon, Virginia, for the Labor Day Music Festival

In keeping with the Reston/Herndon area’s emphasis on driver safety and family entertainment, there were reduced pride tickets in the “Designated Driver/Entertainment Only” category and Children 12 and under were free of charge.  So, while this is not legal advice, Herndon Reston area injury lawyer Doug Landau suggests that you mark the Herndon Labor Day Music & Crafts Festival on your calendar for next year – there’s something for everyone !

Hiking in the Adirondacks can be exhilirating

If you ever want to clear your head, take a hike in the Adirondacks near Lake Placid and Lake George, New York. My cousin took my wife and I on a glorious hike after the wedding of our cousin, before we had to head back to Virginia. We were accompanied by his amazing three-legged dog. The dog not only kept up with us on the steepest inclines, but chased squirrels and covered twice the distance we walked.

The scene says it all. You could see for miles. The air was sweet. At night there were billions of stars. And the leaves were just starting to get their Autumnal colors. When I return to this part of the world, I hope to take other, longer hikes, and see more of these glorious vistas.

Can you guess which cyclist is the groom ?

Labor Day weekend is a wonderful time for bike rides in the Adirondacks. Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau was asked to “escort” the groom on a ride the morning of the wedding in upstate New York. The bride wanted her husband-to-be to be back for the nuptials on time. The Herndon Reston area attorney is used to the pressure of deadlines. The bride also selected Landau because in addition to being a lawyer, he has medical training and always brings bail money, just in case ! The active wedding weekend included Read the rest of this entry »

Open water swimming safety should be every aquatic sports and multisport athlete's priority

Lakes present great opportunities to practice open water swimming techniques.  Summer swimming at lakes, ocean beaches and elsewhere enables multipart and aquatic athletes to escape the confines of the lap lane and really focus on efficient stroke mechanics.  There is the sense of freedom and accomplishment, as you can see the distance covered.  Plus, swimming with or against a current gives a very different “feel” than the stagnant water in the swimming pool.

Here are some tips for safe swimming in a lake, ocean or other “open water” venue  Read the rest of this entry »

Donna Rostant, Doug Landau, Chuck James & Rob Urbach at the Reston Triathlon pre-race registration

While the Reston Triathlon fills up in a nanosecond, the great staff, volunteers and community support make the hassle of waiting by your computer worth it.  The Reston Triathlon Association Board meets throughout the year and has the triathletes’ safety and enjoyment in mind at all times.  Donna, Boofie, Tom, Chuck, Bunny, Abbie, Joe, Richard and the rest of the Reston stalwarts put in a lot of time, effort and sweat into making race day a success.  This year, the run course was marked with mile markers, arrows and some of the trail’s bridges were replaced.

The Reston race crew get up hours before the participants, set up the transition racks in the day’s leading up to the race and then have to clean up the Lake Audubon landing and South Lakes High School finish line and transition area.  It is exhausting work.  So, please consider writing a letter to the editor of your local paper to compliment the people who work tirelessly to enable multisport athletes  to participate in a fun local tradition – the Reston Triathlon.

ABRAMS LANDAU lawyer Doug Landau donated a Wii system to the Brain Injury Services and volunteered at last year's Kit Callahan's Miracle Mile running races

Get ready for the 7th Annual Kit Callahan’s Miracle Mile, 10K, 2 Miler, Kid’s Fun Run and a Brain Injury Awareness Fair.  Join us on Sunday, September 26, 2010 at George Mason University for a great day of fun and learning for the whole family.  All activities at the Fair are FREE and Kid’s Under 10 Run/Walk for FREE.  You can not ask for a better family outing then this event.  Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau has been a volunteer and sponsor of this wonderful event, and you may have seen the Herndon brain injury lawyer passing out flyers at local races for these running races.

Brain Injury Services Fair Activities will include:

• Face Painting by DeeVinchey and Friends
• Fire Truck
• Dr. Aravich and his Brains
• Coloring Station
• Bike Helmet Giveaway (while supplies last)
• Brain Injury 101 Education
• Virginia Wounded Warrior Program Education Booth
• and much, much more!!

Great Family Fun Activity
From Brain Injury Services!
and……it won’t break your bank!

For more information or to register today please visit Kits Miracle Mile website

Remember “Sticks and Stones” ?  Sometimes injuries to children caused by other children can be resolved through settlement according to child head injury lawyer Doug Landau of Herndon’s ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd.  Recently the Landau Law Shop received word that a 7 year old boy who was injured after a friend threw a rock and hit him in the eye was able to settle his case with the rock thrower’s insurance company.   The Virginia personal injury case settled with defendant’s homeowner’s insurance company for  the limits of their policy.

The plaintiff lived in Henrico County, near Richmond, Virginia.  One afternoon, the plaintiff was playing with friends close to his home when he was hit in the eye by a rock thrown by the 13 year old defendant.  The injured plaintiff alleged he sustained a fracture of his left orbit and a concussion as a result Read the rest of this entry »

Doug Landau at the 20 mile marker of the W&OD Trail by the caboose in Herndon, Virginia, about 100 yards from the ABRAMS LANDAU buildings

In a word, “yes.”  Not including my own crashes while commuting, racing or just riding, I recently caused another rider to fall.  While riding with the Reston Bike Club, I got carried away talking to a new acquaintance.  I caused another rider to go off the the lip of the road – there was no shoulder, as it was the new construction near Shaker Woods in Herndon, Virginia.  Luckily the young cyclist, a Pharmacist with Prosperity Pharmacy suffered some scrapes and road rash but no more serious injury and is back riding (I later saw her again at the Reston Century !).  I have also since ridden with the Reston Bike Club “4s” as well as the 3s and 2s.  Riding with the Reston riders is fun, great exercise and I believe safer than riding alone sometimes.  I usually carry a small first aid kit as well as a phone, just in case another rider has a fall.  Hopefully, the rest of my 2010 bike riding season will be safe and uneventful…

USAT CEO Skip Gilbert and Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau at the USAT Duathlon natinal Championsips in Richmond, Virginia

As a Sprint Triathlon and Aquathon All American, as well as an Olympic Distance Honorable Mention award winner, Herndon multisport athlete and attorney Doug Landau feels that it is important to support the national governing body and the people who volunteer their time so that races can be conducted safely.  Over the years, Lawyer Landau has contributed to become a “gold member,” directed, sponsored and volunteered at athletic events.

USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon – one of the fastest growing sports in the world – as well as duathlon, aquathlon and winter triathlon in the United States. USAT sanctions 3,100 races and connects with more than 133,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work with athletes, coaches, and race directors on the grassroots level, USAT provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including World Championships, Pan American Games and the Summer Olympic Games.

The scene outside my neighborhood this morning after the rush hour bike crash just East of the Fairfax County Parkway, Virginia Route 7100 on West Ox Road

As I left my Oak Hill neighborhood this morning, I was immediately stopped because a biker had apparently been hit by a car and badly injured at West Ox Road and Ashburton in the Herndon – Oakton Woods area of Fairfax County.  Emergency Medical responders and Fire and Rescue teams were dispatched quickly.

EMTs assess, secure and prepare to transport thte injured biker this morning after an apparent crash at West Ox Road and Ashburton, in Oak Hill, Virginia

The EMTs and ambulance came to the scene of this rush hour bike crash and immediately set about to assess and then treat the injured athlete.  This car and bicycle crash occurred between Oak Farms Drive and the Fairfax County Parkway (Route 7100), about exits North of Fair Oaks Hospital.  The injured cyclist was being loaded onto a stretcher and had been placed in a neck brace to protect his neck from spinal cord damage as we were allowed to pass.  It brought home the fact that bike crashes can happen around the corner as well as far away on the trails, tours and race courses.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the injured cyclist and his family, and we hope that he gets appropriate medical care and recovers quickly.

If you or someone you know has been injured as the result of a bike crash, car accident or sports injury, please contact us by e-mail at ABRAMS LANDAU or call (703)-796-9555.