The Athlete's Lawyer

Not likely to medal in 3 races in 36 hours again, Herndon Reston area triathlete and trial lawyer Doug Landau will instead concentrate on major sprint races in 2012

We know of no other lawyer or law firm courageous enough to make their trial, speech or hearing schedule available so that you can see the best lawyers “in action.”  Triathlon trial lawyer Doug Landau does the same thing with his sports competition plans.  If you tell people that you are going to court, teach or race, you had better do it, and do it well.  But putting his agenda “out there,” Landau makes sure to “bring his ‘A game’” each and every time.  The best Virginia injury lawyers, like the very best athletes, declare their goals and then work very hard to achieve them.  People remember Muhammed Ali and John Newcombe for their ability to confidently predict their victories.  They backed up their “talk” by training intensely and focusing on their plan and long-term goals.  Just like the ABRAMS LANDAU trial team spends a lot of time, effort and money investing in their client’s injury trials, Doug Landau trains year-round for high-level multi-state competition. Read the rest of this entry »

Herndon injury lawyer Doug Landau raced against some tough competition in 2011; Superheroes made Herndon Virginia's "Super Lawyer" compete at his very best !

The end of the year is always a time for reflection, resolutions and thanks.  With many top 10 and 20 finishes and several overall titles, 2011 was successful.

Highlights include:

At the USAT Sprint Triathlon National Championships in Burlington, Vermont, qualified for the ITU World Championships, Auckland, New Zealand

Overall winner: North Mountain Duathlon in West Virginia; Association for Justice 5km in New York City.  Twice Winning Road Racing Team (“World Gators”) member.  Age Group Champion at 7 races in 7 states ! Also Age Group Award Winner 10 times & Read the rest of this entry »

Once a year the Herndon Golf Course allows runners on the grass.  The Turkey Trot 5k is Saturday, November 19th, with packet pickup and race day registration from 1:30-3. The annual race starts at 4pm, so runners get to sleep in !  The cost is only $15 and a can of food for donation (on race day, adults entry fee is $20 and a can of food).  Youth ages 18 & under – $15 and a can of food.  All food will be donated to LINK.  The course takes you through Herndon Centennial Golf Course grass and paved paths, parts of the W&OD paved trail and vehicular paved road.

In addition to donating food to LINK, the race will also benefit the NIKE “Reuse-A-Shoe Recycling Program.” The Herndon Community Center has been collecting used running shoes which will be Read the rest of this entry »

Most people are happy to win awards in running races and other athletic events.  But when the announcer tells everyone that your prize is for being in the “oldest age group,” the trophy loses its luster !

Top age group road racer Sarah Buckheit and Doug Landau were winners at the "Blue Jay 5km and Heroes" races in Manassas Virginia

Even though he finished in the top 5 out of over 275 entrants, running 19:26 on a “rolling” and curvy 5km course, Landau would rather not have been called out on being in the race’s most senior category: “50 and over.”  On October 22, 2011 the Pennington School in Manassas Virginia hosted it’s 1st Annual “Blue Jay 5K and Hero Mile” races.  The goal of these events was to raise educational funds for children of fallen police officers.  The folks at Racepacket lead by former DC Road Runners Club President Bob Platt, did a superb job of organizing the events and timing services.  The women’s winner along with Landau was the consistent (and young looking) Sarah Buckheit.

Now that triathlon season is over, Herndon injury lawyer Doug Landau will be maintaining his fitness by: racing in road running races throughout the United States; getting to practice with the “World Gators” Masters swim group at the Sport & Health Club in Herndon’s Worldgate Center; and, training with the teenage phenoms on the CompuTrainers at HPC just 2 blocks from the Landau Law Shop.

Virginia bikers sent me word of a German biker struck by a truck and now on life support at Carillion hospital in Roanoke.  This brought back sad memories of being called to INOVA Fairfax Hospital after my clients, who were also in the United States for bike touring, were struck on Route 55 in Fauquier County, outside of Warrenton.  In fact, I will be trying a case next month in a Court outside of Richmond, Virginia, for a German exchange student who was injured in a Chesterfield County car crash.

As I wrote on the Virginia Bicycling Federation site:

Our hearts go out to this German biker and his family. Having represented catastrophically injured German bikers, it is very important that there be a stenographer present for the December 6th Court case. Virginia General District Courts are “Courts NOT of Read the rest of this entry »

Like the bride & groom (who share a bicycle built for 2) that adorned Herndon bike injury lawyer Doug Landau's wedding cake, Trucks, Cars & Motorcycles must learn to share the road

Truck vs. Bike – Guess who loses ?  The YouTube from the DC biker’s helmetcam (Caution: Profanity) resonates with many of us who have ridden on DC metro area roads, commuted by bicycle and seen inexplicable road rage, distracted driving and other dangerous maneuvers by motorists.  The troubling incident was discussed on the Landau Injury Law site.

I do not believe I have ever posted a comment to YouTube, but this video should be “Exhibit A” to those who contend bikers are not endangered by truck drivers or ridden off the road.  After reviewing the film with my own bride (and bicycling partner for life) I wrote:

“With cars parked in the left lane, traffic relatively light in the other 2 lanes, I would have ridden a safe, straight line in the same situation.  I have seen how devastating the injuries are from being “doored” & many motorists do not pay attention to bicycles riding inches from the curb.  So when the biker is forced to go left to get around parked cars, they can get “clipped” by motorists paying more attention to cars on their left and straight ahead.  If we want to curb unsafe conduct by people driving trucks, cars & motorcycles, then responsibility must be taken when they unnecessarily endanger others.”

P.S. If this had been a child riding to school & permanently injured, what would we make of the trucker’s cowardice then ?”

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 !

Reston bike riders assemble in the Herndon Town lot prior to a fun weekday ride from Fairfax County to Loudoun County

“Defensive Driving” is not just for motorists.  Even bikers need to ride “defensively” and anticipate unsafe actions by others on the roads, paths and trails.  A group of cyclists from Reston were enjoying the W&OD Trail, just past Leesburg in Loudoun County, when calamity struck.  A little boy about 6 or 7 years old was riding with at least one or two siblings and his father was walking with them.  The child was looking back and rode directly into the bikers’ lane.   While the cyclists yelled warning, and some were able to avoid crashing, but others Read the rest of this entry »

As a customer who gets a “dividend” each year from REI, sports injury lawyer Doug Landau was impressed the the Recreational Equipment company’s voluntary recall of its Novara Fusion Bicycles.  In an age when many recreational product makers and sports product suppliers deny, obfuscate and/or pass the buck, REI’s act is commendable.  Landau, of the Herndon law firm ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. hopes that by posting notice of this recall,injuries to his fellow cyclists will be prevented.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with REI, announced a voluntary recall of the bicycles.  REI recalled the bicycles due to a fall hazard. The alloy steerer tube could separate from the fork causing the rider to lose control, posing a fall hazard to consumers. REI received one report of a steerer tube detaching. No injuries have been reported. This defective sports product was sold exclusively at REI stores nationwide and at REI.com from November 2009 to November 2010 for between $600 and $900.

Purchasers should immediately stop riding the bicycles and contact their local REI store or the REI customer service center to arrange for a replacement fork to be installed free of charge.  Remember, it is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. For more information, contact REI at (800) 426-4840 anytime or go to REI’s website.