Landau Injury Law

Ervin Gonzalez and Doug Landau after participating in the American Association for Justice (AAJ) “Litigation at Sunrise” program in Miami Beach, Florida

A recent opinion piece in the Miami Herald caught the eye of Herndon lawyer and advocate for victims’ rights, Doug Landau, for two reasons –

ONE: both the author — David L. Deehl

– and one of the attorneys mentioned in the piece — Ervin Gonzalez — are friends and sometime running buddies of Landau’s from his days in Miami.

TWO: the article raises some very serious concerns, which are shared by lawyer Landau.

In his article, Deehl compares two incidents of structural collapse, each of which resulted in death and injury.  One happened last October near Miami, Florida, where four people lost their lives and others were seriously injured when a parking garage collapsed, and the other happened recently in Bangladesh where over 650 people lost their lives or were injured when a clothing factory collapsed.  Both accidents were said to have been avoidable, since evidence of structural damage should have prompted the buildings’ closures.

In the Florida case, the legal claims by victims and their families were settled in early May — less than 9 months after the accident with the help of Ervin Gonzalez of the Coral Gables Colson Hicks law firm.

Will the same swift justice apply to the workers in Bangladesh?   Unlikely.

But Deehl raises this point – changes in tort law and workers’ compensation law (for example – no-fault Read the rest of this entry »

Unclear highway signs can lead to catastrophic accidents and permanent injuries

When the 495 Express Lanes first opened in Northern Virginia late last year, the Washington Post reported numerous accidents attributed to confusing signage for the new lanes.

There was much criticism from the public.

Last month, a driver visiting from another state got on the Express Lanes going in the wrong direction, resulting in a crash that closed the southbound lanes of Read the rest of this entry »

Earlier this year, we posted about Virginia’s lack of funding for judicial positions in Fairfax County.

We are pleased to report that in its recent session, the Virginia Assembly confirmed the funding for one of two vacancies on the Fairfax General District Court.

On or about July 1, 2013, two new judges will be sworn in:  John M. Tran – Fairfax Circuit Court and Richard E. Gardiner – Fairfax General District Court.

“This is good news all around,” says Herndon trial lawyer Doug Landau.  “The courts in Fairfax County are overwhelmed with cases and not enough judges to try them.  This means delays and, in my opinion, justice delayed is justice denied!  Kudos to the Fairfax Bar Association for marshaling the resources needed to push for judicial funding.”

Contact Abrams Landau if we can be of any assistance to or someone you know (703-796-9555).

In this day and age, one would think that Northern Virginia’s diverse population would be represented in the judiciary responsible for deciding cases in the Circuit Courts. However, only this year does the Fairfax County Circuit Court have an Asian-American member.  Former Alexandria Commonwealth Attorney, and friend of Herndon trial lawyer Doug Landau, John Tran, has been selected to be a judge by the General Assembly.  He is not only the first Asian-American on the Fairfax bench, but also the first ever to Read the rest of this entry »

Stops, delays and denials detract from the efficiencies in the Federal Social Security Disability system. Greater efficiency and economy can be derived by streamlining the process and making use of new technology.

Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Michael J. Astrue reached the end of his six-year appointment earlier this Spring.  In a Washington Post  interview, Astrue discusses the future of Social Security.  Herndon Social Security Disability Lawyer Doug Landau, of Abrams Landau, Ltd., read the article with interest since he has represented countless clients applying for Social Security disability benefits. “With the advent of electronic records, e-filing and even remote Hearings, I am optimistic that the time it takes to decide these important cases can be reduced.”

There has been a lot of press about the Federal Disability of late.  Fair examination is a good thing; it is why the Landau Law Shop has its unique “open book policy.”  Many advertising lawyers do not try many cases and cannot survive Read the rest of this entry »

The Herndon Virginia personal injury team at ABRAMS LANDAU does not apply a formula to our disabled personal injury clients’ cases; each case, like each person, is unique.

Car crash injury victims often call Abrams Landau to ask for the formula to put a price on their pain and suffering.  Some callers believe that pain and suffering is always calculated as 3 times (or 2 times, or 5 times, how about ‘Pi’ 3.14159 !!!) the cost of the victim’s medical bills.  Although it is natural to want a simple, easy way to figure it out, there is no formula, according to Herndon personal injury attorney Doug Landau.

“If there were a formula,” says Doug, “then every case would be run through a computer, and the number spit out the other end would be the amount awarded the injured victim — no ifs, ands, or buts.”

But every case is different.

For example, in cases where the injured victim is Read the rest of this entry »

In our last post, we described the Virginia Supreme Court’s Rule 3:22A, outlining the questions that should be asked of potential jurors during the voir dire, or jury selection, phase of a car crash, slip and fall or dog attack injury trial.

What impact will this new rule actually have on civil cases in Virginia?

Herndon injury lawyer Doug Landau, who has volunteered and served in the “New Judges’ Training Program,”  is hopeful that the new rule will keep Virginia judges from rushing or unnecessarily curtailing the very important jury selection process.

“I have had Northern Virginia judges cut off questions about lawsuits, insurance, and tort reform.  I have seen judges seat insurance adjusters, refuse to strike panels that did not reflect the make up of the community, and even impanel a jury of all men,” says Landau.  “So, I am looking for this new ruling to bring some fairness and consistency into the courtroom when it comes to jury selection.”

If you or someone you know has been injured due to no fault of your own, whether by a car crash, slip and fall, dog attack or other unsafe decisions, and there are questions as to what laws apply, email or call Abrams Landau, Ltd. at once (703-796-9555).

Jury selection in personal injury trials is critically important, as not every juror can be impartial in every single case. Voir dire, literally translated as “speak the truth”, is the preliminary phase of a trial during which jurors are questioned, examined, and selected to sit and decide a case.

The  Supreme Court of Virginia recently issued its first-ever rule on voir dire in civil trials, providing more explicit guidance for lawyers and judges about what they can ask potential jurors.

The new rule (Rule 3:22A) directs judges to ask each prospective juror if he or she:

1. Is related by blood, adoption, or marriage to the accused or to the Plaintiff or Defendant;
2. Is an officer, director, agent or employee of the Plaintiff or Defendant;
3. Has any interest in the trial or the outcome of the case;
4. Has acquired any information about the case or the parties from the news media or Read the rest of this entry »

Critical to the success in a trip and fall or slip and fall case is securing the evidence immediately, including the surveillance video notes experienced Herndon Virginia premises liability lawyer Doug Landau

If you slip and fall at a store or business, you would be relieved when you learn that there is a video surveillance system in place and that your accident may have been captured on tape.

Not so fast!  A recent case shows how a store or business may go to great lengths to hide its culpability in a slip and fall accident.

In this case, a 49 year old commercial landscaper slipped and fell on a banana peel in a supermarket.  The resulting injury required surgery, and the man was left with chronic pain and loss of mobility.  He is permanently disabled and unable to work.

Although the store’s surveillance system did monitor the area where the man fell, the store manager claimed Read the rest of this entry »

Abrams Landau clients have real disability, usually as the result of multiple medical problems. “These disabled workers also must survive the many levels of Social Security denial, medical examination, psychiatric testing and adverse Vocational expert testimony,” adds Herndon Virginia Social Security Disability lawyer Doug Landau

National Public Radio (NPR) recently aired a report entitled, “Unfit for Work: The Startling Rise of Disability in America”.  In the piece, the NPR reporter launches attacks against the disabled and the attorneys that work to assist them in their quest to obtain disability benefits.

In response, eight (8) former Commissioners of the Social Security Administration (SSA) wrote an open letter defending against NPR’s attack.  It is published below in its entirety.

“What a shame,” says Herndon disability lawyer Doug Landau.  “It is just a shame that a biased, one-sided report would come from such a reputable organization as NPR.  This kind of reporting casts doubt, not only on the intentions of our disabled friends, co-workers, and Read the rest of this entry »