TheAthletesLawyer

One of the most terrifying experiences for any cyclist is  being chased by a pit bull, or several pit bulls.  These vicious dogs are often trained to attack and cause permanent disabling injury.  We have been contacted and retained by victims who have been bitten, knocked down and even knocked unconscious by large, fast-moving dogs.  Cyclists have been blind-sided by these charging canines, causing crashes and long-lasting scars to these athletes.  Even the fastest member of the peloton may ot be able to escape permanent or disabling injuries.  Chantilly and Centreville canine attack lawyer Landau has seen firsthand how devastating dog bite injuries can be to his clients and friends.  The staff at ABRAMS LANDAU has understands the emotional scarring can last long after the physical wounds have healed.  What can be done to increase biker safety or at least minimize the potential dog bite injuries ?  How does one safely avoid the deep, penetrating wounds that often result from a put bull and other large dog attacks and bites ?

According to Daniel Estep of the The National Animal Control Association’s training academy, “If the dog is 50 yards away and starts after you, if you can escape somewhere – inside a building. or on top of your car, or jump a fence – then that’s probably the best thing to do.  If the dog is closer than that, then that’s not a good idea.  In a footrace, you’re going to lose.  The January 2010 Esquire Magazine piece goes on to suggest:

1. If the attack is imminent, try to shove something in its mouth, hopefully not a vital body part.  If you’ve got a briefcase or clipboard or even a coat, shove that at the dog.  Most of the time, dogs are going to bite the first thing they get their teeth around.  And then you can try to walk your way out of the situation.
2. If that’s not possible, feed him your nondominant arm.  Arm, not hand.  And let him grab onto that and try to get yourself out of the situation.  The last thing you want to have happen is to be taken off your feet, because then it’s much more difficult to protect yourself from serious injuries.
3. If you get brought down, the best advice is to curl up into a ball and try to protect your belly and chest area.  Cover your neck with your hands and loop your arm around so that it covers your face.  When people roll up into this position and don’t move, oftentimes the dogs lose interest.

If you or someone you know has been injured in pit bull or other dog or animal attack, please e-mail us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., or call 703-796-9555 today.

Recently, Ashburn and Herndon area injury lawyer Doug Landau has been contacted by injured bikers who already have a lawyer.  Some are dissatisfied with their current lawyer’s work. Others cannot reach their current attorney.  And still other cyclists are confused and do not understand the legal process or their present legal counsel’s instructions.

Herndon and Ashburn bike crash injury lawyer Doug Landau of ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. steers his bike with just 2 hands !

When A-V Rated attorney Doug Landau is contacted by a disabled biker or athlete or bike – car crash victim who is already represented by counsel, he and the ABRAMS LANDAU staff advise the caller to try to work things out with their present lawyer.  That lawyer presumably knows the case; has invested in the claim; and, will likely have a “lien” (an “IOU”) for attorney fees even if the case is taken over by another attorney or law firm.  Plus, switching counsel “mid-stream” sends a negative message to the insurance company.  It suggests that the client is impatient, may switch again, and that there will be dissonance on the plaintiff’s side of the case.  So, while the injury trial team at ABRAMS LANDAU wants to help everyone who calls, writes and e-mails, when there is already counsel retained, we decline representation unless the potential client has:

1. Genuinely tried to work things out with their original lawyer;
2. Settled up with their counsel, who may be owed money for costs and fees;
3. Put in writing that the lawyer is discharged; and
4. Have a copy of their file so that the next lawyer does not have to “reinvent the wheel” and duplicate expenses.

Cases the ABRAMS LANDAU injury trial team is currently working on that were started by other law firms include claims where the original lawyer has: retired, fallen ill, been disbarred, realized that they are not admitted to practice in the jurisdiction where the trial will be held and does not have the staff, resources or money to properly invest in the case.

Coach Todd Katz of Hammer Down Cross Fit training in Chantilly Virginia putting people through their paces !

Recently my bride and I were invited to try out our friend Todd Katz’s “Hammer down cross fit” training program at his home.  As an athlete who likes interval training sessions and respects the incredible results of English mile champion Sebastian Coe, who mixed calisthenics with explosive movements and continuous movement, I was keen to see what Hammer Down Cross Fit was all about.  Todd had told me that Cross Fit can help with sports injury prevention, posture and core strength – all good things for this triathlon trial lawyer.

En route to a race in Southern Florida, we came across this Cross Fit studio !

Several friends have been training through the winter with Katz, who is an exceptional runner and competes in long distance road races.  First of all, it was cold.  Hard core cold.  Don’t take off your mittens cold, as we lifted dumbbells, did push ups, sit ups and other exercises outdoors on a frigid morning.  There was some running also involved, and the “regulars” seemed to feed off the energy and each other.  Todd recorded repetitions, tines and PRs and most looked like they were having fun.  My wife’s favorite part was the hot coffee afterwards.  I liked snack time.  Todd now has a permanent INDOOR location in Chantilly, and many videos showing you the exercise routines.  So, if you want something different, give Cross Fit a try !  Call Todd and visit his Chantilly fitness studio and see if what Cross Fit training has for you,

Volunteer field marshall Mike Mogollon and Doug Landau at a Broward County Florida youth soccer tournament

Having served as a field marshall in soccer tournaments, sports injury lawyer Doug Landau knows how important a function this is to keep order on and off the field.  With players and parents showing less respect for referees. coaches and the Codes of Good Sportsmanship, field marshals can ensure safe playing conditions and quell disputes off the field so that the games can go on.  In the Virginia, Maryland and DC metro area soccer leagues, there are often teenage soccer referees and linemen/women.  When an irate adult parent, coach or trainer “gets in their face,” as has happened to my own son, things can get ugly if there is not an adult in charge of the field and tournament safety.   When field marshals are alert for unsafe conditions and actions by spectators, coaching staff or players, they can help provide an insulating barrier to violence and injury on and off the field.  The next time you are at a youth soccer tournament, thank the field marshals as well as the scoring volunteers, refs, linesmen and women.

Herndon injury attorney Doug Landau poses with part of local orthopedic surgeon Tom Fleeter's medical equipment box. Dr. Fleeter is a volunteer at such events as the Reston Triathlon.

Injuries in competition are a given. However, sporting events with medical personnel on site reduce the chances of increased harm due to delays in treatment. Especially where there are extremes of temperature, humidity or hills, medical personnel on site can help ameliorate the accidents and injuries that may occur. Where competitors are pushing the “Pedal to the metal,” it only takes a split second for there to be a traumatic head injury or broken bone. With an experienced sports medicine doctor standing by, the effects of such accident and sports injuries can be reduced.

Athletes may be in excellent physical shape, however once the andrenaline is running, competitors may push their bodies into the “red zone” or accidentally stray into another’s path or that of an oncoming car or truck. Sports medicine and injury trial lawyer Doug Landau has been in bike crashes and received immediate medical care at the finish line and transition area. While we may not like hearing the sirens or seeing the lights during a race, we, as athletes, are reassured when we see medical personnel stationed to be at the ready at the start of a race, just in case.

Capping the multisport season with another win, injury lawyer Doug Landau races off to attend his daughter's soccer match

After a “dry” season in 2008, Virginia injury lawyer Doug Landau ended his multi-sport season the same way he began it – with an overall win !   Normally contested at the Madeira School campus, the Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation annual biathlon moved to South Run in Springfield and lengthened to a 500 yard pool swim and a 5 mile run. The 2009 Dan Fiduccia Fall Biathlon was held at the South Run Recreation Center, one of Fairfax County’s newer athletic facilities, at 2:00 today.

While Columbus Day weekend was devoted to his youngest daughter’s soccer tournament in Bristow, Virginia, Landau was able to compete in the McLean 5km.Saturday morning before his daughter’s first game. Today, after her 3rd game ended before noon, and she was informed that her team was in the finals at 3:45, the Triathlon Trial lawyer jumped into his car and drove to the race venue, arriving three minutes before the start.  Because Landau was not in the first heat, he was able to warm up and stretch after a difficult drive.  In the 2nd heat, the Masters Triathlete was lapped several times by talented high school swimmers.  But a lightning fast transition and hard pace at the start of the run enabled the sports injury lawyer to reel in many of the athletes who had passed him so effortlessly in the pool.  The run around the lake incorporated cross country terrain, rather than roads.  As Landau trains on turf, trails and dirt, the running part of the race played into his hands (or feet !).

Race Director Gib Smith & TriathlonTrialLawyer Doug Landau before the start of the Childhood Brain Tumor Biathlon at Fairfax County's South Run Recreation Center

By the end of the run, Landau had passed many of the racers without being passed himself.  Often running alone in the woods, Landau kept his heart rate in the 170s in order to keep his speed up. His 37:36 (8:20 for the swim) is the course record for the Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation Fall Biathlon !  More importantly, after he finished, he dashed through the showers, changed, got back in his car so as to see his daughter and her team in the Finals of the “Battlefield Classic.”  The CYA Blast ended regulation play in a 0-0 tie.  Then after a double overtime period, the game was still a draw.  Penalty kicks ended 3-3, and the game went to a “sudden death shootout.”  Landau, his wife, son and all the grandparents watched as the Blast won the match and the tournament in an exciting finish.  The picture of the winning team was posted yesterday.  Needless to say, there was no racing or soccer matches Monday, and all the Landaus got to take a day of rest.

The Chantilly "BLAST" a local U-16 girls' travel team, was an undefeated division winner at the Battlefield Blast soccer tournament

Our fourth child is competing in the Bristow Virginia “Battlefield Classic” soccer tournament this weekend. Our kids have participated in the Manassas soccer club’s highly competitive tourney many times. The well-maintained fields and excellent organization make this tournament one of the highlights of the season. Located about 15 minutes past the George Mason University Prince William County Campus and the adjacent Freedom Fitness Center, the Bristow sports complex has excellent soccer, baseball and lacrosse fields for kids of all ages. I had trained with a Masters Swim Team that held weekend practices at the Freedom Fitness facility, where Shandra Richardson of Riptide Swim & Sport now coaches. The Prince William athletic facilities are wonderful, and I will frequently get in a workout before or after court in order to avoid traffic and take advantage of the local pool, trails, battlefield park running trails, tennis courts and bike classes.

Doug Landau works hard at being the best lawyer for his injured clients and the best Master triathlete

While preparing for several Fall trials in Virginia, New Jersey and Florida, Doug Landau was also finishing up his multi-sport season after strong finishes in several local sprint triathlons. Imagine the TriathlonTrialLawyer’s surprise when he was notified that he was selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers, which is based entirely on peer review. According to the Best Lawyers website:

“For 25 years, the top lawyers in the U.S. have helped make The Best Lawyers In America the leading legal referral guide by candidly evaluating the work of other top lawyers in the same specialties and geographic areas. In large legal communities (such as New York City and Washington, D.C.), lawyers are asked Read the rest of this entry »

Anyone who has ridden with me around Broadlands, South Riding, Ashburn Farms or my former home in Franklin Farms knows this injury lawyer never likes to take his hands off of the handlebars. I simply do not have the bike handling skills of the top riders in the peloton top take both hands off the bike and throw them up in the air like you see at the finish of so many cycling races. So does the TriathlonTrialLawyer not signal his intent to turn, slow or stop. No, I place my left arm straight out to my side for left turns, bend it upwards at ninety degrees for a right turn, and bend it won perpendicularly to slow or stop;. I also give audible signals if there are other cyclists close by, especially during the Reston Bike Club evening rides or Potomac Peddler Tours.

According to the Uniform Vehicle Code, CHAPTER 11 – Uniform Vehicle Code: Rules of the Road – Pt. 3 signals ARE required for bikers. However, if you are like me, and need your hands to brake or maneuver, you can signal when it is safe to do so (like when you are coming down a steep hill). The Uniform Vehicle Code section 11-604.Turning movements and required signals.

• (a) No person shall turn a vehicle or move right or left upon a roadway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety nor without giving an appropriate signal in the manner hereinafter provided.
• (b) A signal of intention to turn or move right or left when required shall be given continuously during not less than the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.

This gives any vehicles or cyclists catching up to the biker time to react, maneuver and proceed with caution. Always try to signal when turning or stopping while riding your bicycle. Following bikers, motorists and runners will appreciate your “defensive cycling” so give them a hand and not just a finger !

Wear correctly sized, unbroken shin guards to every match

What Kind Of Injuries Does A Soccer Shin Guard Prevent?

This was a question posted on a soccer equipment website. The answer made us laugh out loud: I know that soccer shin guards can help prevent shin splints, but what other injuries can these shin guards prevent?

The official website of the ACC answers the question “What exactly is shin splints?”
Scott Spernoga, MEd, ATC, Assistant Athletic Trainer, Wake Forest University wrote:
The term “shin splints” is often incorrectly used to categorize a wide variety of lower leg conditions ranging from tendonitis to stress fractures. This term includes both bone and soft tissue problems. In the sports medicine setting, shin splints are better referred to as “Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome” (MTSS).

MTSS is defined as syndrome in which increased stress causes an injury to the medial or inside part of the lower leg. This overuse injury is frequently found in sports which involve repetitive running such as field hockey, soccer and cross country. Shin splints do not occur overnight, but over a period of time. Often this occurs in the initial 2-3 weeks of training.

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons more than 477,500 soccer-related injuries are treated in hospitals, doctors’ offices, clinics, ambulatory surgery centers and hospital emergency rooms each year. Wearing shin guards can help protect your lower legs. Soccer tournament records have shown that most players who sustained lower leg injuries were not protected by adequate shin guards. So don’t go without them and don’t wear your little sister’s pair. I have had shin splints while pounding the boards of the indoor track at Boston University; they are painful and take a long time to heal.