The Athlete's Lawyer

What happens when an injured cyclist hires a lawyer who says he can handle a personal injury case and that lawyer fails to take steps to advance the injured athlete’s case, and in fact becomes suspended from the practice of law just as the 2 year deadline approaches ?

Herndon sports injury lawyer Doug Landau and law enforcement volunteers at a local running race

This recently happened at ABRAMS LANDAU, where we get a large and sad number of calls every year from injured victims who retain lawyers who should not be handling personal injury cases. Often these lawyers are general practitioners who will not invest time, effort or money in serious injury cases, “friends of a friend,” and advertising charlatans who never go to court. While we counsel callers to try to work out their differences with the lawyer they have got, there are some instances when this is impossible, and they make a change. For example, when their present lawyer is retiring, or has passed away, then certainly we will meet with them. However, in a case such as this where the deadline was approaching and the Leesburg lawyer supposedly handling the biker’s crash injury case would not return letters, phone calls, e-mails or faxes, then immediate change of counsel was necessary. When Leesburg bike accident lawyer Doug Landau called the Virginia State Bar to enquire as to this lawyer, he was advised to tell the plaintiff to call the Bar’s office. Apparently, the lawyer originally retained was on a Suspension for Failure to Comply with a Subpoena, effective June 9th of 2010. This was just published, after the 2 year time limit had run, in the Virginia Lawyer Register.

Luckily, the ABRAMS LANDAU law firm filed the lawsuit within the time limits, and is now proceeding to get medical records, investigative reports, Traffic Court transcripts and other items necessary for the successful prosecution and settlement of a serious bike crash injury case.  Because there are strict time limits for claims against drivers who run over or crash into cyclists, if you or someone you know has been injured by someone else’s negligence or fault, e-mail or call us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. (703-796-9555) at once.

Chantilly High School is experimenting with a voluntary workout program for their marching band.   With brass and percussion instruments weighing as much as 40 pounds, increases to students’ endurance mean sharper turns, crisper stepping and faster flag twirling for the color guard.  In other words, the Chantilly Chargers marching band formations will be “in shape” this season.  As a former marching band trumpeter myself, I was surprised to learn that, according to CHS marching band Director Ross,

• “The heart rate a student has marching through an eight-minute show is almost what a marathon runner’s would reach.  The students who are athletes go through a conditioning program. We wanted to make sure our kids do, too.”

Band directors Gary English and Drew Ross told the Fairfax Times: “We decided to do something new this year Read the rest of this entry »

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.

This was the crux of a notice Loudoun, Fairfax and Leesburg brain injury lawyer Doug Landau received in Charlottesville while preparing for the appeal of a brain injury case.

The Stroke Association wants people to know that strokes are the #3 killer in this country, yet many people don’t even know what they are. They don’t know that more of the brain can be saved if a stroke is detected and treatment is received immediately. Strokes begin when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked or bursts. Blow flow is cut off. Tissue is starved for oxygen, and parts of the brain die. If not treated quickly, abilities and productive life can be lost. Learn to spot the warning signs of a stroke or call 1-888-4-STROKE, and act quickly. Your brain is your most prized possession. Guard it with your life.

While riding his bicycle eastbound on Clarendon Boulevard, just past the intersection with Edgewood Street, another innocent biker was struck by a careless motorist today.  The cyclist was in the designated bicycle lane, as was the case with our client who was injured by a taxi turning into the Starbucks. See post.

In the area of this bike crash there are two lanes of eastbound traffic, then the bike lane, then a parking lane to the right. The parking lane was filled with parked cars so the cyclist was blocked to the right, and traffic was moving on the left. Suddenly, and without any warning, the BMW swerved from the traffic lane, across the bike lane, trying to get into a set of two open parking spots (So as to drive through the rear of the two and park in the forward one, without having to back up into a spot).

The BMW cut the biker off and flipped the cyclist over his handlebars.  Striking the cement, the cyclist had injuries to his face, hands, elbows and leg.  Eye witnesses immediately called the police and an ambulance.  The BMW driver was ticketed at the scene, but as many drivers well know, this does not mean that he will be found guilty, convicted or made to pay any restitution.  The biker has lacerations on his face, pain and difficulty seeing.  In addition, his bicycle sustained damage that will form the basis of a property damage claim.  Everyone at ABRAMS LANDAU wishes the innocent cyclist a speedy recovery.  We hope that he is able to get back “in the saddle” soon and resume his enjoyable cycling.  If you, or someone you know, has been injured while riding their bike, please call us or e-mail us at once.  Experienced bicycle crash lawyer Dog Landau notes that “after the Traffic Court trials, it is very hard to properly investigate and prepare these claims for successful resolution.”

When a friend showed up at the offices of ABRAMS LANDAU after an adult ice hockey match with a fractured orbit and impressive shiner, Ashburn and Reston sports injury lawyer Doug Landau looked into the injury, frequency and steps to prevent such head and facial trauma.

Orbital blowout fractures are cracks or breaks in the facial bones surrounding the “socket” that houses the eyeball. Orbital fractures of the facial ones surrounding the eye can result from such blunt trauma as getting hit by an ice hockey stick, puck or opponent’s elbow. Blows to the face and head can result in concussion, loss of consciousness and orbital fractures and eye injury. Wearing face masks has dramatically reduced the risk of eye injuries, including orbital lacerations and facial fractures. In players wearing partial or no protection, eye trauma resulting from a stick, puck, or elbow can cause hyphema, orbit fracture, retinal detachment, or globe rupture. According to The Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine, no blinding eye injury has ever been reported in a hockey player wearing full facial protection.

Total head and face protection is essential for any collision sport. In ice hockey, the risk of eye injury is not so much from collision as from a flying puck. The use of face masks in amateur ice hockey in Canada led to a 66 percent reduction in eye injuries, as reported in the Textbook of Orthpaedics, Trauma & Sports Medicine

Bottom line: players should wear head and face protection in ice hockey games and practices in order to prevent eye, face and head injury.