TheAthletesLawyer

Dear Readers: This wonderful (and true !) piece was originally Posted on: Friday, June 10, 2005, 09:00 CDT www.redorbit.com/news/health/155160/
tennis_phenom_jj_larson_does_things_just_like_everyone_else/

J.J. Larson doesn’t understand all the attention, feels uncomfortable when people see her as inspiration. Ask her to describe herself, and she’ll say she’s your average college freshman finance major from Orchard Park who is taking summer classes and trying to find her way through life.

Virginia Tech

“I’m just normal,” she said, “just like everyone else.”

OK, she’s normal.

She’s your ordinary 19-year-old who was born without her left hand, who once was the nation’s top-ranked tennis player in her age group, one who nearly burned out and came to despise the sport, who befriended tennis legend Stan Smith. She earned a full scholarship to Virginia Tech and was whipping elite doubles teams in her first season until her partner blew out her knee and Larson was run over by a pickup truck. Read the rest of this entry »

“Road Trip” to Tech nets exciting tennis !

Virginia Tech tennis ace JJ Larson and the Landau family

CAN YOU FIND ANY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THESE 2 PICTURES ?

A Triathlon Trio about to ride the W&OD Trail West, and then run a “brick”, from the Herndon Caboose, Feb. 3, 2008.

After the injured triathlete has gotten clearance from the treating doctor, and progressed from stretching, strength training, to endurance training for the NON-INJURED leg, then progression to more challenging exercise protocols may be indicated. While Doug Landau’s free sports training advice is worth what you pay for it, he counsels the injured triathlete as follows:

If safe to do so, you can use the exercise or spin bikes to do 1-legged cycling. I do it religiously to perfect form and teach my body to cycle in “COMPLETE CIRCLES”.

TraithlonInjuryLawyer_Doug_Landau___Delacroix.jpeg

Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau is frequently asked advise injured cyclists, triathletes and other sports enthusiasts because of his background in sports medicine and experience as a USAT All American.

TriathlonInjuryLawyer_DougLandau_Reston_prize_Med_Tent_SAger.jpeg

First, ankle & foot fractures can be complicated. There are lots of little bones down there and they can take a long time to heal if not properly (and promptly treated). Once you are seen & treated, then you can ask if you can do upper body exercise, working on your “weak spots,” making use of the hand crank upper body ergometer, free weights, etc. There are some athletes who take the position that it is wise to work very hard during this down time (as in the “pre-season”) on these otherwise neglected body parts. Stretching is also very beneficial during “down time.” Injured Triathletes find that stretching stimulates the nerves, retards atrophy (muscle wasting) and sends signals to the brain that in essence say,

“Hey brain, don’t forget about us muscles, we’re still here, send us some nutrients and keep us limber and ready for action !” DO not stretch the injured parts until your sports medicine specialist give you the “green light.”

Look for tomorrow’s post for the rest of the Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau’s free advice for this injured triathlete…

Several local masters swimmers got a “cool down” of a different sort this summer when they were charged with “illegal swimming.”

TriathlonTrialLAwyer_Speedo_6_Court.jpeg

While many of us could be cited for “inefficient strokes,” chided for “cheating on the lane lines” or even penalized for “unnecessary roughness,” few Potomac Valley USMS members think about “jail time” in the same sentence as “lap time.” However, five masters swimmers (“the Speedo 6”) got a very real wake up call to the laws and dangers of open water swimming.

The “Speedo 6” were arrested this summer and brought to court this winter.  The Defendants were charged under Virginia Code section 18.2-119 (Misdemeanor Trespass), for “swimming contrary to posted signs.”  The half dozen defendants were defended  by Triathlon Trial Lawyer  Doug Landau  (shown far left leaving the Leesburg Virginia Court house). Read the rest of this entry »

When Reston bicycle riders were struck by an impatient young driver, they turned to an experienced trial lawyer, injury advocate and triathlete. The injured Reston cyclists contacted Abrams Landau for help. The Virginia cyclists knew Doug Landau, the “Triathlon Trial Lawyer,” from the Reston Century rides (where Doug Landau is shown, at right, with Washingon Redskins Senior Vice President and super cyclist Dennis Green and gear-grinding Melissa Landau, mid-way through the 2007 event),

Triathlon Injury Lawyer Doug Landau Reston Century 07_1.jpeg

In order to put to rest the Defendant’s claims, The Athletes Lawyer Doug Landau visited and canvassed the accident scene. The Triathlon injury lawyer arranged at great expense, to have a court reporter and videographer accompany him to question the Defendant under oath for use at trial. Taking the deposition of the young cyclist AT THE SCENE of her crime, Landau discerned that she was in a hurry to get back from her overnight stay at her boyfriend’s house before her own family awoke !

Likewise, when the Defendant driver testified, under oath, that she had not made contact with any of the bikers, Triathlon Lawyer Landau produced her side mirror ! Furthermore, in a strategy only a few seasoned trial lawyers will spend the time, money and effort to utilize, the Triathlon Trial Lawyer held the investigating police officer’s deposition AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD where the impact took place. The police officer showed Doug Landau, on videotape, the location of the bodies, bicycles and debris field ! Faced with the evidence compiled by the Abrams Landau trial team, the case settled shortly before trial. Herndon Lawyer Doug Landau is pleased to report that the cyclists have returned to riding together. The Atheletes Lawyer is also proud to note that his client has since completed several International Triathlons and Centuries. 

On a warm August morning, a young motorist struck not one, but two cyclists traveling in a group of three in Loudoun County, Virginia.  The three experienced Reston Bicycle riders were heading West on that part of Route 50 where it narrows to only one lane in each direction.  The peloton had hoped to go to Paris, Virginia, take in the amazing view and then head back on the W&OD Trail in Purcellville.  The peloton never made it to Paris.

 The third, trailing cyclist was “clipped.”  He had a laceration on his hand and the defendant driver’s side mirror.  The second biker of the trio was not so lucky.  He was 3-5 bike lengths ahead, heard angry honking behind and was riding to the far right, so that the cars could pass.  An SUV passed him safely as he pedalled 12 MPH uphill.  The Reston biker was sideswiped and knocked unconscious.  When he came to, his ankle was broken.   Both bloodied, injured riders were taken by ambulance to the local hospital in Leesburrg.  Herndon lawyer Doug Landau’s client was operated on succesfully by a member of the skilled Town Center Orthopedic Group.

Where was the defendant driver going in such a hurry that early Sunday morning ?  How would  Herndon Lawyer Doug Landau  defeat the  driver’s claim that she did not make contact with the bicyclist, but instead he fell off his bike on the soft shoulder of the road !   The riders never saw what hit them.  What actions would the Triathlon Trial Lawyer take to defeat the defendant driver ‘s uncontradicted statements ?  See tomorrow’s post for the answers… 

What happens after a lawsuit is filed and after discovery is completed ? In many jurisdictions, the Courts want the injured cyclist and the Defendant drivers to settle their personal injury cases before trial. In an effort to promote fair, timely resolution of brain injury and head trauma bike crash cases, the Courts will refer injured cyclists’ cases to “Alternate Dispute Resolution.” This can take the form of: Arbitration, Mediation or Early Neutral Evaluation.

The injured Virginia bicycle tourist’s bike crash case was referred to Mediation in North Carolina. The trial team at Abrams Landau, Ltd. treats mediation of bike crash, head concussion injury and brain trauma cases like trial, preparing exhibits, evidence and testimony in order to get the best result for their injured cyclist clients. The “Special Damages” in the case were:

Wage loss:: $32,385.09

Medical bills: $25,601.11

Doug Landau flew to North Carolina with his client and presented the case at Mediation. The Athletes Lawyer explained that his client had to work 7 years in order to earn the Sabbatical. The injured cyclist’s lawyer Dog Landau further told the Court that this bicycle tour was the culmination of a life dream for the bicycle riding professor.

The Triathlon Trial Lawyer pointed out that to his client (and many others) the time spent AWAY from work may be more precious that the time spent at work. While this Abrams Landau client had made excellent progress from his closed head injury, brain trauma and herniated cervical disc, he still had residual pain, for which compensation was also sought. The Court agreed with the plaintiff’s lawyers arguments, and Landau got $150,000 for the disabled cyclist. This result was all the more remarkable as the Defendant truck driver only had $25,000 in car insurance coverage. The Athletes Lawyer noted that the Abrams Landau trial team’s preparation and hard work enabled the injured cyclist to get full compensation for his injuries AND wage loss.