Landau Injury Law

Sporting team jerseys, World Cup soccer fans are easy to spot at Herndon Virginia's Great Harvest Bakery !

Having coached soccer for the Chantilly Youth Association (”CYA”) for over 10 years, Herndon lawyer Doug Landau has become a soccer fan.  While Landau only learned to play the game at the end of high school, he has played in adult leagues, coached kids and watched his own kids play for their house, NCSL, WAGS, other travel and high school teams.  Landau has represented injured soccer players and been a tournament volunteer.

Having studied sports injuries and noting the violence inherent in American football and hockey, Landau appreciates the skills, finesse and lack of permanent injury and disability in “futbol.”  With the World Cup Soccer Championship in South Africa, ABRAMS LANDAU staff wore their team colors on a “Casual Friday.”  The Fairfax County injury lawyer ran into other soccer fans at Great Harvest Bakery who were also sporting their team jerseys.  The large screen televisions from the Worldgate Club to the new Irish Pub on Eldon Street were all playing the broadcasts, to the delight of the international clientele that makes our town so special.

The scene as I left Oakton Woods during this morning's Fairfax rush hour bike crash between Reston Parkway and the Fairfax County Parkway in Oak Hill, Virginia

Having seen and assisted at more car, truck and bike crashes than I can recount, I was nevertheless shaken this morning by the scene outside my neighborhood.  A biker had apparently been hit by a car and badly injured at West Ox Road and Ashburton in the Herndon – Oakton Woods area of Fairfax County, in Northern Virginia.  Emergency Medical responders and Fire and Rescue teams were dispatched quickly and several motorists had already stopped to render assistance to the fallen cyclist as he lay on the pavement between the two corners of Ashburton, across from Franklin Oaks Drive.

Before loading the injured cyclist into the ambulance, Fairfax County EMTs assess, secure and prepare to transport the injured biker this morning after an apparent crash at West Ox Road and Ashburton Avenue across from Franklin Oaks Drive

The EMTs and ambulance came to the scene of this rush hour bike crash and immediately set about to assess and then treat the injured athlete.  This car and bicycle crash occurred between Oak Farms Drive and the Fairfax County Parkway (Route 7100), about exits North of Fair Oaks Hospital.  The injured cyclist was being loaded onto a stretcher and had been placed in a neck brace to protect his neck from spinal cord damage as we were allowed to pass.  It brought home the fact that bike crashes can happen around the corner as well as far away on the trails, tours and race courses.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the injured cyclist and his family, and we hope that he gets appropriate medical care and recovers quickly.

If you or someone you know has been injured as the result of a bike crash, car accident or sports injury, please contact us by e-mail at ABRAMS LANDAU or call (703)-796-9555.

Broadlands Sprint Triathlon participants before the start of the race

At the Broadlands Sprint Triathlon today in Loudoun County, some 270 multisport athletes took to the streets.  Leesburg, Fairfax and Prince William bike injury lawyer Doug Landau wanted to try this TriPerformance event to test his early summer fitness.  Landau also likes competing in safe events like this, where the directors and volunteers take great pains to avoid accidents, crashes and injury.  The pre-race meetings and course previews are especially appreciated by the seasoned “Triathlon Trial Lawyer.”  In the transition area he discussed strategy with Alexandria General District Court Judge Moore, not for trials, but for triathlons !

The Broadlands Sprint Triathlon started with a 400 meter pool swim, followed by a slightly shorter than the advertised 12 mile bike ride, and ended with a curvy 5km.  The Loudoun, Prince William and Fairfax County bike crash injury lawyer finished in the top 10, and was the first grand master, master and age group.  Today’s race raises funds for the Infinitive Foundation, which was established to support programs focused on health and enhancing family life. Proceeds from the Infinitive Race Series will support local and US Military families.

Herndon, Loudoun & Leesburg Virginia bike crash injury lawyer Doug Landau notes that even on recreational and public park bicycle paths, riders must be aware of the road surfaces, obstacles and potential dangers

After his bike accident with the steel expansion joints on the Lee Bridge in Richmond, Doug Landau noted with interest the recent case of a Connecticut woman who was injured when she struck a steel grate while cycling.  The Hartford Metropolitan District Commission(”MDC”) has been ordered by a Connecticut jury to pay $2.9 million to a woman cyclist who was injured in a bicycle accident in 2002.  According to the Hartford Courant, the jury ruled that the MDC had improperly placed a steel grate on a recreational path.  The woman was on her bike when she hit the steel grate, breaking four vertebrae in her neck.  The jury’s verdict represents reimbursement and restitution for what has been taken from this active athlete.  If you or someone you know has become permanently injured or disabled in a bike accident or car crash, please e-mail or call us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. (703-796-9555)

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The Landaus rode on the W&D Trail to get to the Herndon "pit stop" on "Bike to Work Day," where the A-1 Cycling crew gave Mrs. Landau's bicycle a safety check

While Loudoun and Fairfax bike crash injury lawyer Doug Landau has participated for a number of years, this year’s “Bike to Work Day” was extra special.  This was Herndon’s first Bike to Work Day and a “pit stop” was located on the W&OD Trail by the Depot Museum and the Old City Hall !  The event supports and promotes bicycle commuting, safe biking and pollution-free “green” transportation alternatives.  Cindy Roeder, Director, Parks and Recreation Department was extremely pleased with the number of riders who stopped in to join us this morning. More than 8,700 riders registered in the DC metro area for this year’s event.  Over 200 bikers stopped in Herndon.

"Bike to Work Day" lead hundreds of cyclists to the downtown Herndon Depot, where A-1 Cycling and the Town of Herndon set up a "pit stop" complete with snacks, SWAG, mechanics and free information

The Town of Herndon and everyone at the Landau Law Shop thank A-1 Cycling bike shops in Herndon and Manassas for sponsoring our pit stop, as well as the Washington Area Bicyclists Association (WABA) and Commuter Connections.  A-1 Cycling is located in the “Clocktower Shopping Center” South of ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. on Elden Street, just the other side of the Dulles Toll Road, at 2451-I3 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171  (703) 793-0400.  Doug Landau often has his racing bike checked out and repaired by the friendly and experienced crew at A-1 in order to avoid crashes, injuries and “technical difficulties !”

Paul Lesti & Doug Landau in the ABRAMS LANDAU law library during the economics & structured settlement expert's recent DC visit

Herndon, Ashburn and Sterling Park injury and workers compensation lawyer Doug Landau often counsels his disabled clients and their families as to the availability of “structured settlements.”  In other words, instead of a lump sum payment, clients and their families may be better served by monthly, yearly and even “balloon payments” in the future.  There are many kinds of annuity payments and structures.  In some permanent injury cases, the ABRAMS LANDAU trial team, working with experts, economists and annuitants, have fashioned periodic payments:

• that pay the claimant monthly for a set number of years
• that pay the client yearly for life
• that pay the injured child annually, on her birthday, with a lump sum payment for college when turns 18
• that pay the disabled worker every month for the rest of his wife’s life
• that pay a small monthly amount, with 4 large payments during the “college years”
• that pay monthly at one rate, then go to a higher rate at age 62 (retirement)

The best lawyers believe that the long-term welfare of their clients is of the utmost importance.  Many injured plaintiffs do not have financial advisors or other experts to help them plan for their future financial needs. Structuring a large workers compensation or personal  injury settlement or Mediation Award can reduce anxiety, tax consequences and avoid early dissipation of these important funds.  That is why the Landau Law Shop will retain a structured settlement expert, even when there already is an annuitant on the case for the insurance company or their agent.  By having this “second opinion,” the Herndon injury, disability and wrongful death law firm can have a second set of eyes make sure that their clients are getting fair rates, good returns and financial protection.

One such expert is Paul Lesti, with whom Loudoun, Prince William and Fairfax County injury and workers comp lawyer Doug Landau and his father have worked for over 2 decades.  Mr. Lesti came to visit the “Law Shop” while attending a conference in Washington, D.C.  He has been an invaluable resource in analyzing structured settlement offers, placing annuities, evaluating the “present value” of workers compensation Awards, and negotiating with the insurance companies.  If you or someone you know has been permanently disabled due to an on the job injury or other accident, please e-mail or call us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd.

Doug Landau will use the professional medical illustrations prepared by MediVisuals in all four of his May Virginia Trial Lawyers Association presentations

Speaking on how to quickly and effectively settle, mediate and arbitrate personal injury and wrongful death cases, Doug Landau actually brought a dozen exhibits from cases that the ABRAMS LANDAU trial team has won.  By showing lawyers in Richmond what kinds of real evidence and demonstrative aids work in the court room, Herndon, Broadlands and Ashburn area injury lawyer hoped to assist them in getting better results for the victims of accidents and their families.  ”You have to invest time AND money in your exhibits and trial preparation if you want to get good results for your disabled clients” Landau told the nearly sold out audience, “You cannot do serious personal injury cases on the cheap.  You must spend the money on professional MediVisuals medical illustrations, enlargements, transcripts and investigation.”

The Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (”VTLA“) followed Landau’s speech and demonstrations with “Use of Technology: High Tech, Low Tech, No Tech A Panel of Local Judges will discuss Admission of Exhibits.” The panel of judges will change at each location, and will consist of:

• May 4, 2010 – Richmond: Hannah Lauck, U.S. Magistrate Judge, Eastern District, Richmond Margaret Spencer, Richmond Circuit Court Theodore Markow, Richmond Circuit Court
• May 18, 2010 – Roanoke: Waugh Crigler, U.S. Magistrate Judge, Western District, Charlottesville Charles Dorsey, Roanoke City Circuit Court James Swanson, Roanoke County Circuit Court
• May 25, 2010 – Norfolk: Jerrauld Jones, Norfolk Circuit Court Stephen Mahan, Virginia Beach Circuit Court, Bradford Stillman, U.S. Magistrate Judge, Eastern District, Norfolk
• May 27, 2010 – Fairfax: Thomas Horne, Loudoun Circuit Court Dennis Smith, Fairfax Circuit Court Anthony Trenga, Eastern District, U.S. District Court, Alexandria

Richmond Virginia defense lawyer and Mediator Michael Harmon & Herndon Reston area plaintiff's personal injury lawyer Doug Landau after their CLE presentation today

Everyone who knows Herndon injury lawyer Doug Landau knows he likes to talk !  After success at the American Association for Justice meeting of the National Trial Lawyers in February and the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Annual Convention in March, Landau is “taking it out on the road,” by teaching and giving presentations in Richmond, Roanoke, Norfolk and Fairfax during the month of May.  The lawyers who pay hundreds of dollars to attend these Continuing Legal Education programs, get required legal education and ethics credits and learn the latest development in the laws and personal injury trial practice.  The written materials that went with Landau’s speech were made available electronically, just as was the case at the National Trial Lawyers meeting this winter.

The ABRAMS LANDAU injury lawyer’s presentations will enable participants to hear from plaintiff and defense attorneys on

1. Creative, professional demand packages
2. Settlement conferences/mediation/arbitration
3. High/low agreements
4. Tips for low cost use of technology in demand and settlement
5. When high tech is worth the cost

While Douglas Landau, of Abrams Landau Ltd., Herndon, will be speaking at all four locations, as he has actually tried cases in all corners of the Commonwealth of Virginia, he is paired with a different experienced defense lawyer at each venue.  The top defense attorneys Landau has been teamed with include:

• Michael Harman of Harman, Claytor, Corrigan & Wellman, Richmond (Richmond)
• David Carson of Johnson, Ayers & Matthews, Roanoke (Roanoke),
• Robert Rigney of Protogyrou & Rigney, Norfolk (Norfolk),
• Stephen Crum of Robey Teumer & Drash, (Nationwide Staff Counsel, Fairfax/Northern Virginia).

All clients know that they can call the Landau Law Shop to find out when and where Doug Landau will next be trying cases, speaking, taking depositions, teaching or racing.  This “open book” policy has enabled many ABRAMS LANDAU clients and their friends and families to meet with Doug Landau “close to home” and members of the Law Shop Trial Team without having to travel to the Herndon Reston area, or battle the infamous “Beltway.”

Sports injury lawyer Doug Landau before the start of today's National Duathlon Championships, and before he knew he'd have to run barefoot !

The National Duathlon Festival was held this weekend in Richmond.  The United States Age Group Championship would not only determine who are the best Duathletes in the country, but who would make the World Championship team representing the USA in Scotland in this popular “RUN BIKE RUN” format event.  Herndon, Reston and Oakton area trial lawyer Doug Landau has competed in these championships several times, and this year he came well-rested, trained and ready for almost anything.  Landau even brought a second set of wheels and a spare bike helmet, in case anyone forgot theirs or had a product failure right before the race.

In order to be as ready as possible, the Virginia sports injury lawyer even rode the run course on Friday in order to familiarize himself with the venue.  He then ran some of the course, marking it with chalk, the next day.  However, even the most thorough preparations cannot eliminate an unlucky event.  While the weather reports predicted thunderstorms, and it rained so heavily Saturday night that the Triathlon Trial Lawyer saw several bikers skid and crash on the wet pavement, he saw many more walking their bicycles back to the transition area because they had gotten flat tires on the bridge expansion joints.  Because of the cooler weather, the Richmond bridge joints had opened up and presented a tripping hazard for race volunteers who were walking on the bridge and an obstacle for biker racers going 25 mph.

The race consisted of a 5k (3.1 mile) run, followed by a 38k (23.6 mile) bike ride, and then another 5k run.  Landau was 75% through the bike course when he hit an bridge expansion joint and flatted out.  However, rather than walking home or quitting the race, the ABRAMS LANDAU litigator left his bike shoes on his bicycle, and ran the bike back across the bridge to the transition area, a distance of about 3 miles ! And he did this barefoot ! Apparently a “DNF” (Did Not Finish) was not an option for Landau, who has finished every one of the nearly 1,000 races he has started !

Once he got back in the transition area, he put on his racing shoes and ran a 21 minute 5k and finished in just under 2 hours.  How did he manage to run on the highway and bridge without shoes ? Landau strengthens and toughens his feet and ankles so as to avoid injury by training barefoot whenever he can on sand, grass and artificial turf.  The former USAT Triathlon All American won last year’s “Playa Del Rey Beach Sprint” race barefoot.  Noted Landau, “just as with our personal injury jury trials, Social Security hearings and workers comp disability cases, I want to be ready for anything !“

Aquatic and swimming pool safety lawyer Doug landau

After writing to the local newspaper about the excellent response by Community Center lifeguards and aquatic safety personnel,  Herndon Reston accident and sports in jury lawyer Doug Landau was personally thanked by staff at the Herndon Community Center.  Having seen many sports and aquatic injuries, from slip and fall accident,s near drownings, and defective products, Landau revels in success tories such as this.  Too often lawyer Landau reads about complaints and gripes in the “letters to the editor” sections of Fairfax, Northern Virginia and DC metro area newspapers.  So, he periodically writes to newspapers and others when there is something to say about a positive response to a serious problem.  Stay tuned for future “Op/Ed” pieces from ABRAMS LANDAU’s founder Doug Landau.