The Athlete's Lawyer » personal injury attorney

Cases, Races – See “Lawyer in Action”

athleteslawyer — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:06:13 +0000

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 !

athleteslawyer — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:14:31 +0000

Doug Landau, of the Herndon law firm ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., at the start of the Newton crosss country run during the Multisport World conference in Bethesda, Maryland

DC, Maryland and Virginia Triathletes, Duathletes, Runners, Bikers, Swimmers and Rowers were treated to some outstanding lectures, demonstrations, clinics and competition at this past weekend’s Multisport World in North Bethesda. There were individual and team competitions in swimming relay, cross country running and indoor computrainer cycling events. Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau competed in the running and cycling events. The 5km race was sponsored by Newton running shoe company, and Landau wore his custom-cut Newtons around the Georgetown Prep Track, golf course and roads. Top finishers and teams got free shoes !

For the 10km. time trial inside the Expo hall, Landau brought his bike and shoes, and a change of clothes, as he was soaked afterwards ! The school’s locker room and facilities were excellent, and this event is sure to get bigger each year. Cheered on by friends from the DC Triathlon Club, RATS (Reston Area TriathleteS), Team FeXY, Team Z, TriCats, SetUp Inc., Rehab 2 Racing and others, the Herndon injury lawyer was able to average over 22 miles per hour on the hilly course and over 230 watts !

Multisport World – Seminars, Clinics and Competition Galore

athleteslawyer — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 03:09:24 +0000

Herndon injury lawyer Doug Landau, SPOKES publisher Neil Sandler, Virginia Triathlon Series race director Greg Hawkins, and Rehab 2 Racing Triathlon Coach Rob Colburn survey the scene at the 2011 Multisport World Expo in Bethesda, MD

Multisport World came to the Mid Atlantic region today. Developed in partnership with USAT Mid-Atlantic Region and held at the state-of-the-art Hanley Center for Athletic Excellence at Georgetown Prep in North Bethesda, Maryland, triathletes, duathletes, bikers, runners and swimmers were treated to a full day of activities. The local high school’s indoor track, pool and conference rooms were devoted to multisport seminars, training clinics, workshops, competitive events and more. The first 500 registered attendees received swag bags with product samples, money-saving coupons and more. Plus all registered attendees were eligible to win valuable prizes and receive discounts to selected Multisport World clinics.

The campus golf course and outdoor track were the venues for the Newton running shoes demonstration and challenging 5km and the pristine pool, held Total Immersion swim clinics. Georgetown Prep was the site of the Bethesda Cure Autism Now Sprint Triathlon (yes, that’s my photo on the far right, exiting the pool en route to winning the race 2 years ago !). All of the big names, and clubs from Virginia, Maryland and DC triathlon were there. There were also a number of newcomers and there was something for everyone, from “newbie” to veteran. In the following posts, the competitions and other news will be published.

Unsafe Playsets Recalled by Manufacturer

athleteslawyer — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 02:29:53 +0000

As a child, I enjoyed may hours playing on swing sets and “jungle gyms.” My brother and I would even eat our meals in these structures during the warm summer months (and save our mom from having to clean up if we dripped watermelon or spilled our drinks !). So I was particularly interested when I received word that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) had recalled children’s play sets made in China for Escalade Sports of Evansville, Indiana.

According to the CPSC recall notification, the hazard is significant, as the swing seats on these Oasis Playsets can crack and break in half, causing the user to fall to the ground. Escalade Sports has received 24 reports of the seats breaking, though no injuries have been reported. These defective and dangerous products were sold by Oasis distributors and dealers nationwide from April 2008 to December 2010 for between $1,500 and $2,200. Consumers should immediately stop using these swing seats and contact Escalade Sports for free replacement swing seats. For additional information, contact Escalade Sports at (800) 742-6009 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the Escalade’s website. Consumers can also e-mail Escalade Sports.

Popular Resistance Exercise Bands Recalled By CPSC due to Injury Hazard

athleteslawyer — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 02:44:37 +0000

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) in cooperation with EB Brands, of Yonkers, New York announced a voluntary recall of Resistance Stretch Tubing manufactured in China. Having used these types of exercise devices to work out at home and at the gym, sports injury lawyer Doug Landau notes that strength training equipment should be built to withstand normal use without injuring the athlete. Landau’s opwn family members have used products like this for swim training and rehabilitation. At the Herndon law firm ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., it is important to help prevent future injuries to consumers and athletes, as well as asist them after injuries caused through no fault of their own. With this particular exercise product, the handle on the tubing, also called bands, can break or detach while in use, causing the tubing or handle to strike the user and posing an injury hazard. There has already been a report of an incident involving a bone injury.

This recall involves Everlast Resistance Stretch Tubing, Everlast Pilates Stretch Tubing, Sportline Resistance Stretch Tubing and Pineapple Pilates Stretch Tubing, used for exercise and stretching. The tubing comes in yellow, blue or black with black handles. The words “2404″, “2001 EB Sport Group” and “Made in China” are molded on the handles. A list of affected lot numbers is available on the EB Sports Group’s website.

Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. For additional information, contact EB Brands at (800) 624-5671. A picture of recalled stretch tubing can be found at the CPSC recall website.

Virginia studying Brain Injury and Sports Concussion

athleteslawyer — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 01:32:19 +0000

Brain injury in sports can occur even without outward manifestation, such as bleeding, swelling of the skull, bruising of the skin or laceration. Sports medicine specialists who study head injury in athletics have long noted that it is the movement of the brain inside the hard, bony shell (the cranium) that often determines the nature and extent of the brain damage. Director of the Brain Injury and Sports Concussion Institute at the University of Virginia School of Medicine Jeffrey Barth has explained, “if [a player] is not expecting it, the head snaps on the neck [when struck].” The Sports Illustrated Special Report Concussions concluded by noting that when an athlete is caught off guard or going the wrong way, even a minor blow to the head can be devastating. This is because the speed at which the head snaps back and how long it takes to decelerate often determine whether an athlete will be concussed. It the snapping of the head and neck is rapid enough, the player can lose consciousness momentarily, and suffer a concussion.

To entirely prevent or mitigate concussive head-snapping, athletes strengthen their neck muscles and try to be prepared. When an athlete braces for a tackle, or a boxer gets ready for a punch to the head, the tensing of the neck muscles can keep the skull from jerking too fast. Bracing the neck to prevent fast deceleration of the brain inside of the skull can prevent or lessen the impact of a tackle, check or punch to the head.

Because of the short term and long term effects of single and repetitive insults to the head, the National Hockey League (“NHL”) has tried to eliminate blows to the skull that catch a player by surprise. The NHL banned blind side hits in 2010.
The Mayo Clinic suggested that all hits to the head, blindside and otherwise, be banned from hockey. Even though hockey and football players wear helmets, a concussion is often not the result of a direct blow to the head. Instead, rapid front-to-back and side-to-side snaps of the skull, as in a car crash, can result in loss of consciousness, concussions and swelling of the brain. When the head or body is buffeted by a large force, the movement can cause the brain to strike the inside of the hard, boney skull. The brain is anchored by the brain stem, like a thick rope holding a bowling ball on top. The brain moves at different speeds from the rest of the head, like a jello mold inside of a hard, glass jar (the skull). In severe deceleration cases, like car crashes and blind side tackles, the brain can even bounce off the inside of the skull, causing brain swelling, bleeding and permanent injury and deficits. If you or someone you know has had a head injury or sustained a deceleration accident that is causing headaches, dizziness or other symptoms, get medical assistance at once. If the harm was caused by the negligence or unsafe decisions of another, e-mail or call us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. (703-796-9555).

Player Size Increases NFL Health Risks

athleteslawyer — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 14:12:08 +0000

When I followed professional football as a teenager in the 1970s, only Bubba Smith weighed more than 300 pounds. Now, “super sized” linemen are commonplace. Can you imagine a 300 pound person falling on top of you ? How about 2 or 3 ?!!? What about the health effects on these gigantic players, making sudden movements with all that weight, hitting each other and running anaerobically ? And what happens to these large men when their playing days are over, and they are no longer professional athletes looked after by a team of doctors, trainers and dietitians ?

According to a report in the New York Times, there are more than 500 300-pounders presently. A 1994 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health study found that former offensive and defensive linemen had a 52% higher rate of death from cardiovascular disease than did the general population. Since then, the players at these positions have only gotten bigger, with the average weight in the NFL 252 pounds. A 2005 University of North Carolina study found that more than a quarter of the NFL’s players fit the category of Class II obesity, which is between moderate and morbidly obese. A 2006 Scripps Howard newspapers survey of the deaths of 3,850 pro football players over the last century found that the heaviest players were more than twice as likely as lighter players to have died before reaching their 50th birthday.

The cardiologist and co-chairman of the NFL’s sub-committee on cardiovascular health, Professor Robert Vogel of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, noted that “The simple answer is, being physically active is unquestionably a deterrent to the problems associated with weight. Having said that, are you at higher risk being a 350-pound lineman rather than a 210-pound quarterback ? Yes.” But is it now necessary to weigh in at over 300 pounds to play professional football ? Because of what I see with the complications of excess body weight and morbid obesity here at ABRAMS LANDAU after our own car accident or truck crash clients, the answer is obvious, that “super size” makes recovery from injury and disease more difficult. Plus, superior athletic skills can neutralize extreme size on te gridiron. Noted Jerry Kramer, the Green Bay Packers All-Pro Guard in the 1960s, “Fat doesn’t make you strong and quick. It makes you heavy. Muscle makes you strong. We’ve gotten enamored with the 300-pounder, but give me an offensive guard who’s in great shape at 270 or 275 and understands leverage and positioning, and I’ll bet he’ll whip the fat guy every time.”

New Years Day Fun at Reston Town Center

athleteslawyer — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 02:08:25 +0000

Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau of the Herndon law firm ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., was runner up in his age group at the Reston Town Center New Year's Day 5k road running race

In a new addition to the New Years Day racing lineup in Northern Virginia, our friends at Potomac River Running (“PRR”) have come up with a New Year’s Day 5k in Reston. The 5k started on Market Street at the Reston Town Center at the very civilized hour of 10 a.m. One of the advantages of this venue is that there is plenty of free parking available in the numerous garages at the Town Center. The race was computer chip timed, and packet pick up was available at the PRR Reston store.

The certified 5k course started and finished on Market Street at the Town Center. The course ran through the Town Center streets and out and back on the W&OD asphalt path just a mile East of the Landau Law Shop in Herndon, Virginia ! Because the W&OD Trail was open during the race, runners were urged to be careful and cautious of others using the path. Mile markers were posted on the course. There were also the W&OD Trail 1/2 mile markers, for those, like Herndon Reston injury lawyer Landau, who like lots of splits and feedback as to pace. Plus, instead of “Port-a-Johns,” real (heated !) restrooms were available at the Town Center. They were located at the information center near the ice skating rink. Having raced at this year’s inaugural event, copped an Age Group prize (finishing 29th of 420) and enjoyed the course and festivities, this is a 5km that will be on the Triathlon Trial Lawyer’s calendar for next year. Official results can be viewed by clicking here.

Avoid killing a cyclist, deer and yourself when driving on snow covered roads

athleteslawyer — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 19:27:10 +0000

When going to the office on cold winter mornings, I have seen bikers in covered helmets, booties and thick gloves braving the elements. However, motorists around the W&OD Trail are often surprised to see cyclists and animals coming off the path and crossing Herndon, Sterling and Loudoun County roadways. When a biker or deer appears in front of you on a snow covered road, and there is not enough time to brake, the following suggestions come from Rally Coach Tim O’Neil so that you do not end up killing the cyclist, the deer, yourself or totaling your car.

Take your foot of the gas immediately. Do not fixate on the biker, deer or motorcycle – you will just drive straight at it if you do. Instead, look at the rear wheel or animal’s hindquarters, since cyclists, deer, elk, etc. are not likely to go into reverse ! Turn the steering wheel 90 degree to your right.
Now your vehicle is headed toward the shoulder, ditch, guardrail, etc. Do not panic. You should look at where you want the car to go. Fix your eyes on the center of the road and turn left twice as far, about 180 degrees.
Once you have cleared the obstacle, animal, human or other, counter steer 45 degrees to your right and hit the gas to straighten out.

Hopefully, these tips will enable you to “live and let live.” A car crash with a deer, cyclist or object in the road can be catastrophic. The damage we have seen caused by impacts with deer are truly astounding. The losses caused by car crashes with animals and cyclists are some of the most severe we see at the Landau Law Shop. you might even want to practice, and take the newer drivers in your household out to an empty, safe parking lot, to practice winter driving techniques in order to prevent injury, property loss and death.

At New York City Marathon, you may not touch the ground.

athleteslawyer — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 04:22:28 +0000

At least at the start of the race when the canon fires. That was Herndon injury lawyer Doug Landau’s experience when he ran the New York City Marathon. He and his brother both ran on other people’s sweat clothes, gloves, hats, mittens and other garments for what seemed like the first mile ! This surreal experience drove home the magnitude of the event and the logistical planning required by the New York Road Runners Club (“NYRRC”) to stage a world-class event in one of the busiest cities on the planet. At the start on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, there will be 1,694 portable toilets, 42,000 PowerBars, 90,000 bottles of water and 563 pounds of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee beans, enough to make 45,000 cups. About 500 volunteers will collect more than 10 tons of sweat suits, sleeping bags and Snuggies, much of which will be cleaned and given to charities. The bridge must be cleared within an hour of the last runner’s leaving. More than 70 United Parcel Service trucks will take the athletes’ belongings to the finish line.

According to the New York Times, among the more than 6,000 volunteers on race day are medical workers at the 38 aid stations. They will have on hand 11,410 pounds of ice, 13,475 bandages, 57,059 salt packages and 390 tubs of Vaseline. They will have 435 cots and 30 defibrillators that, hopefully, will not be needed.