TheAthletesLawyer

Life guards and water safety instructors need to be ever ready to jump off their chairs and rescue swimmers, aquatic exercise class and therapy participants

While doing my weekly run in the deep water of the diving well, I witnessed the young life guards at the Herndon Community Center Pool rescue a participant in a water aerobics class this week.  The aquatic exercise instructor and 2 lifeguards responded immediately to the first signs of distress.  They were able to get a water safe wheelchair down the indoor pool ramp quickly, without interrupting the other activities in this public athletic facility.  The children’s swim classes, the lap swimmers and private lessons continued with minimal interruption.  The Herndon Commanders Swim program head was also dispatched and the entire incident was dealt with professionally and efficiently, thanks to extensive training and vigilance.

While life guards and pool service employees get negative publicity when there is an aquatic accident, pool drowning or community center injury, it is important to catch these young workers when they are doing something right.  In this case, their quick thinking and excellent training came to the aid of an older class participant in need.  I am glad that these life savers work at a pool where I regularly swim, jog in the water and have taken my 4 kids.  Good work Herndon Community Center Aquatics staff !

Tennis player lawyer Doug Landau hits the courts and has "raised a racket" to advocate for his injured clients

Having represented injured athletes throughout the Virginia, Maryland and Metropolitan DC region, sports injury lawyer Doug Landau has seen stoic sportsmen and sportswomen under-report their injuries and limitations to their treating doctors.  Unfortunately, “putting on a brave face” to the health care providers may lead to an inaccurate medical history and a discounting of the negligence, product or premises liability case by the Defendants’ insurance companies.  In bike crash, dog bite, swimming pool and jogger injury cases, the insurance adjusters and nurses carefully scrutinize the initial Emergency Room medical records and histories in order to deny, delay and discount otherwise strong liability personal injury claims.

While my grandfather Landau taught me to have a “stiff upper lip,” doing so in the context of medical care can lead to medical records that are not helpful to the physicians or the injured athlete’s legal counsel.  So, sports injury lawyer Landau suggests that athletes “raise a racket”and fully and completely advise ALL health providers of their pain, limitations and difficulties.  If you, or an athlete you know, has been injured in a bike and car crash accident, attacked by dogs or disabled due to defective sports products, please e-mail or call us at ABRAMS LANDAU (703-796-9555)

Ronald McDonald, Tim Hamon Race Director Tom Cook and Broadlands injury lawyer Doug Landau at the Van Metre 8km

Sunshine, a rolling course and a stiff breeze greeted runners at the annual Van Metre 8km road race today.  Broadlands and Ashburn area injury lawyer Doug Landau took ran despite calf pain, as a hard “brick” workout was planned in advance of the Virginia Duathlon later this month.  Seeing lots of friends and clients, Landau managed to average 7:05 per mile pace for the nearly 5 mile course.  For a complete race report and a picture of Lawyer Landau “in action,” go to RunWashington

The Loudoun personal injury trial lawyer then did a short cool down before driving to Herndon for a CompuTrainer cycling class at HPC.  After biking indoors, Landau completed the “brick” by running several more miles on the W&OD Trail horse cinder path in Herndon.  After this grueling athletic effort, the experienced sports injury attorney showered at the Landau law Shop, got the weekend’s mail and then had a large lunch with his son, who was in town from Virginia Tech for another medical school interview.

Leesburg and Hamilton area lawyer Landau has participated in the Van Metre race several times.  The well run race raises funds for Children’s National Medical Center pediatric hospital.  Some of ABRAMS LANDAU’s youngest clients have received excellent trauma care at Childrens National, which  ranks among the best pediatric hospitals Read the rest of this entry »

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.

Will triathlon and duathlon trial lawyer Doug Landau's winter training yield results ? Stay tuned ! His race card is filling up.

Always looking to combine races when he travels for cases, seminars, speeches and family, Doug Landau has registered for the Virginia DUathlon which is being contested the same week as the Virginia Trial Lawyer Annual Convention in Williamsburg.  The Herndon Reston area lawyer will forego the “Fun Run,” and serve as a volunteer for that sporting event as well as the Tennis Tournament he sponsors each year in order to rest up for the very competitive “VaDu.”  The run-bike-run format will enable the sports injury lawyer to assess his fitness 30 days prior to the US National DUathlon Championships.  The USAT “Duathlon Festival” will be contested for the third, and final year, in Downtown Richmond, thanks to the wonderful efforts of the Richmond Sports Backers.

Landau’s results the past two years have not been stellar, but he has worked hard through the winter to get his cycling and running legs in shape for these important early season races.  The peripatetic trial lawyer hopes that by “front loading” his early season, and not signing up for any full Olympic Distance Triathlons, he will be able to perform well at both the US National Duathlon short course road championship in April AND the US National Sprint Triathlon Championship in Alabama in late September.  Landau will be in Richmond the end of April in order to teach on the Virginia Supreme Court’s “New Judges’ Training Program.”  The ABRAMS LANDAU litigator will also be back in Richmond several times in May and June in order to teach at the annual Tort Law Seminar and for family and social functions.  If you want to see Doug in action, e-mail or call the office for details !

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,

Winter sports and traumatic brain injury lawyer Doug Landau notes increasing use of helmets by skiers, snowboarders and other cold weather sports enthusiasts

It used to be rare to see helmets on the slopes; snowboarders, skiers thought they were “uncool, dorky,” and for wimps.  But serious injury and stylish helmet design have caused those wearing head protection to be in the majority.  Winter sports injury lawyer Doug Landau noticed all colors of helmets during recent trips to New England ski, snowboard and tubing hills.  Commending the increase in winter sports head protection, Landau hopes that the increasing use of helmets will lead to a concomitant decrease in traumatic brain injury and head trauma in injured winter athletes.

According to NBC Sports, Helmets, one of the fastest growth areas in the snowsports industry, have moved over the hump and are no longer considered too niche or dorky for the masses. Safety is the driving reason to wear them, of course, but improved styling and comfort may be what make them a no-brainer.  “In the last couple of years, you see a big movement toward helmets — it just makes sense,” says Ted Ligety, the U.S. Olympic skier who has been sporting a bright orange helmet in Vancouver. “I started wearing a helmet when I was 4 years old. I feel super naked if I’m not wearing a helmet. My parents did a good job engraining it in my head.”  Wearing helmets for recreational skiing and snowboarding often starts with the kids, and then parents.
To read the rest of the news report.

While in New York City recently, athlete safety lawyer Doug Landau came across photos of 41 notorious thieves who steal at health clubs and gymnasiums while their victims are working out.  The New York Post article’s title blared, ” Gym rats ‘lift’ and run” and even published the rogues’ gallery of photographs of the most notorious sports club scoundrels.  Police sources suggest that the thieves are not regular members, but rather day pass purchasers who target members wearing fancy jewelry.  Expensive watches and “bling” are top targets.  According to the Post, one female suspect showed police that she could open 10 locks in 3 minutes !  So what steps can you do to protect yourself and your family from these fitness club predators ?  Triathlon trial lawyer Doug Landau uses the following steps to avoid theft and loss:

1. Do not flash a lot of jewelry or “bling,”
2. Always use a lock on your locker,
3. Do not bring lots of cash or other valuables into the health club,
4. Use the mini-lock boxes some clubs have for wallets and keys,
5. Lock your iPod, Heart Rate Monitor, sportswatch, GPS and other expensive gear (even running shoes !) while showering, and
6. Consider keeping costly items in your car, office or home.

Doug Landau and other hardy cyclists after riding the free VASA Bike Ride at the Swedish Embassy

If you want a long early season ride with hot soup and a tour of the lovely Swedish Embassy, Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau recommends that you register for the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (”WABA”) and the Embassy of Sweden’s VASA Ride.  The free Vasa event celebrates Sweden’s famed ski race and festival, “Vasaloppet,” by bike! This unique Washington, D.C. and Maryland bicycle event has options for riders of all abilities!

Starting from the Embassy of Sweden building, “House of Sweden,” bicyclists will duplicate the 56-mile Vasa race with a non-competitive ride through scenic upper Northwest Washington DC and into Montgomery County, MD.  In keeping with the Vasaloppet’s week-long series of events for everyone, WABA also has designed shorter routes, a Halv Vasa (28 miles) and a Kort Vasa (14 miles).  All rides will finish with the Vasa Race’s famed blueberry soup courtesy of Ekströms, part of Procordia Food AB and the Swedish Embassy.  If you have any last minute mechanical issues, Northern Virginia area bicycle shop Spokes, Etc will be providing mechanic support from 7:30am to 9:00am.

DATE: March 7, 2010

LOCATION:
House of Sweden
2900 K St., NW
Washington, DC 20007

TIMES:
Registration will start at 7:30am and end at 9:15 am.

56-Mile Vasa will start at 8:00am
28-mile Halv Vasa will start at 8:30am
14-mile Kort Vasa will start at 9:00am

*Please note, any riders arriving back to House of Sweden past 1pm will not be guaranteed blueberry soup

Landau notes that the Vasa Ride is a rain or shine event, and helmets are mandatory.  And, typical of the Swedes irreverence and wonderful sense of humor, they note, “If it snows, bring your skis !”