Landau Injury Law

While the Social Security Administration Judges (”ALJ”)have large case loads and some ABRAMS LANDAU clients experience long waits for a Hearing, when we do finally win their disability claims, the victory is especially sweet.  Herndon, Reston and Leesburg disability lawyer Doug Landau received just such an opinion this week on behalf of a disabled Centreville Virginia woman.  The claimant had the following severe impairments: multiple sclerosis (”MS”), degenerative disc disease, fatigue and pain

The ALJ agreed with Landau’s brief that “these impairments cause more than minimal functional limitations on the claimant’s ability to perform basic work activities.” The claimant will get a lump sum check of over $20,000 and monthly checks of $1,392 as well as medical coverage.  If this ABRAMS LANDAU client lives her normal life expectancy, it is anticipated that she will be paid over $467,812 !  Doug Landau’s fee for winning this case ?  $6,000, and the firm’s costs were under $1,000.  Social Security Disability fees for claimant’s lawyers are contingent AND capped.  And, when compared to the benefits produced, may be one of the last great bargains.  If you or someone you know has become disabled from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or other disease or combination of injuries, e-mail or call us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. (703-796-9555) as we may be able to help with a Social Security Disability claim.  There are no legal fees if we do not win, and the fees are contingent, set by the Federal government and capped.  And the benefits can be hundreds of thousands of dollars and peace of mind for you and your family.

The 30th Annual Herndon Festival drew thousands of visitors to the Historic Downtown District.  Doug Landau particularly liked the musical and crafts offerings, but it was hard to resist the food vendors and fireworks.  With three stages for music and plenty of variety, there was something for everyone.  While the Festival made parking around the ABRAMS LANDAU buildings difficult, the staff and clients showed resilience and patience.

Some clients even visited the street fair and sampled some of the international foods after their appointments with the Herndon injury lawyer.  Shuttle busses from the Worldgate Center ran continuously past the Landau Law Shop, as people were advised not to drive to downtown Herndon.  We hope that the Town is able to clean up after the visitors and carnival leave Herndon.  Then we will be able to help our injured clients without physical obstacles or large crowds when coming to visit with us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd.

My grandfather William Abrams, whose name is found on the letterhead of this law firm, used to ask not “Who’s who,” but “What’s what ?”  While the company one keeps is indeed important, what some knows and what people actually do with their skills, talents and knowledge seems to me to be more important.  I recently received another invitation to be part of a “Who’s Who.”  The notification read as follows:

• “You were recently chosen as a potential candidate to represent your professional community in the 2010/2011 Edition of Cambridge Who’s Who.  We are please to inform you that your candidacy was formally approved May 14th, 2010. Congratulations.  The Publishing Committee selected you as a potential candidate based not only upon your current standing, but focusing as well on criteria from executive and professional directories, associations, and trade journals. Given your background, the Director believes your profile makes a fitting addition to our publication and our online network….”

I will admit, that I was thrilled when I and several classmates were asked to be in the “Who’s Who” of Law Students.  We all went on to become good lawyers, teachers and members of the bars of several states.  But now I realize that these volumes and online directories are not used by the people who really need our help.  So I have not purchased any more of these handsome volumes or subscribed to the directories.  That’s “what’s what.”  If you think I am mistaken, let me know by e-mail at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd.

Road construction zones in Northern Virginia require drivers to be vigilant and NOT distracted by cell phones, iPods, blackberries, texts and PDAs

According to the VDOT Work Safety Zone Coordinator Brian Fry, in 2008 there were more than 2,000 crashes in highway work zones in Virginia.  In those crashes, 6 people died and more than 1,000 were injured.  The statistics show that 80% of those killed in work zone crashes are drivers, not highway workers.  When you add distracted driving to the increased dangers associated with work zones, the results are foreseeable and deadly.  Highway construction accident and injured motorist lawyer Doug Landau notes that work zones bring heavy equipment and workers into close proximity to high speed cars and trucks.  The orange signs, construction workers clothing and equipment that clients see marked as exhibits in the evidence room at ABRAMS LANDAU are painted bright colors in order to get motorists’ attention.  But many motorists who are talking on a cell phone or texting never notice the vulnerable men and women who are working to make our highways and roads safer.

Everyone needs to make a concentrated effort to put the electronic devices away in highway work zones.  Make highway work zones “No Phone Zones.”  The Virginia Department of Transportation’s Norther Virginia Operations will do its part to ensure that the roads of our Commonwealth are safe, but drivers need to do their part by putting the phone away, keeping both hands on the wheel and staying alert when approaching a work zone.  As Mr. Fry points out in his April 21, 2010 Fairfax County Times Letter to the Editor, “Each of us wants to get home safely to our families each night.”

This will be a short post.  The law firms that are buying television, radio and newspaper advertising “trolling” for oil spill cases in Florida, Texas and Louisiana demonstrate some of the worst of what people think of trial lawyers.  The big class action firms have already bought google ads and have begun on-line searching for clients, even though there are likely excellent lawyers in the injured property owners’ own backyards who could help them and be personally responsive and responsible for doing the best they can for their neighbors.

There may be people with property interests in vacation homes along the Louisiana, Texas and Florida shorelines. They are going to have claims against British Petroleum (”BOP”) under the 1990 Oil Pollution Act which was enacted after the Valdez incident. The first class action was filed already in Louisiana.  The big class action firms have already bought google ads and have begun on-line searching for clients. It is likely that there are other property owners who live out out of state who own vacation homes right where the oil spill is heading.

Anyone who has property in harms way might want to consult a local lawyer and get either legal assistance from them or a referral to an experienced Florida, Louisiana or Texas Trial Lawyer, rather than calling the first advertiser they see.  That is not how we pick our surgeons; it should not be how we select our lawyers.  Ask friends, neighbors and co-workers.  Ask other lawyers who they would go to for this kind of legal problem.  You will likely see that the lawyers who have to advertise to get clients are not often the best lawyers for your legal needs.  They certainly do not encourage anyone to “come see them in action” as many do not actually represent individual injured plaintiffs in court.  While the Herndon, Reston and Warrenton area law firm of ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. does not handle coast lines property damage and loss claims, we may be able to help you find a suitable lawyer, since Doug Landau is an active member of the Florida Bar and Norman Landau was a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers, and have been regular contributors, speaks and supporters of the American Association for Justice. If you or someone you know has been harmed by the oil spill, pollution or other toxic substances, please e-mail us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., or call us at (703)-796-9555, as pursing claims for damages and injuries against the big oil and chemical companies requires special procedures and the time limits can cause the loss of legal rights to restitution.

As he has volunteered at numerous events at the Madeira School in McLean, Virginia workplace injury lawyer Doug Landau was saddened to hear that Fairfax County authorities are investigating the death of a worker at a construction site at the private school. County fire department spokesman Dan Schmidt says a construction worker died this afternoon on the grounds of the Madeira School.  According to television news reports, the worker was crushed by heavy equipment.  The Fairfax County Fire Department reported that the construction worker died at the scene off Georgetown Pike in McLean. The school was closed at the time for spring break.  Police and Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials are investigating how the man died.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the construction workers family and friends at this sorrowful time.

Former Editor in Chief of the University of Miami Law School "Res Ipsa Loquitur" newspaper Doug Landau looks sideways at a current issue while visiting the lovely Coral Gables, Florida campus

During his most recent trip to Florida, Dulles area injury lawyer Doug Landau visited his law school alma mater in Coral Gables, Florida.  Always interested to see what is being taught at “the U,” two of Landau’s study group partners (Racquel Rodriguez and Ervin Gonzalez) teach on campus in addition to stellar careers at their respective law firms.

While at the University of Miami, Landau received a full tuition scholarship as Editor in Chief of the Law School Newspaper.  The “Res Ipsa Loquitur” is still being published, and Landau picked up several copies.  The Oak Hill injury and disability lawyer may send the “Res Ipsa” an article or two in advance of his reunion.  The University of Miami Law School is a national law school, which means that students are taught not just the state law, but the law in other states as well as the Federal Statutes such that they can successfully practice anywhere.  Landau says, “the proof is in the pudding,” as he and his study group mates all passed their respective bars exams on the first try (Landau and Ervin Gonzalez have multiple bar licenses) and had jobs with top law firms lined up for when they graduated.

Many ABRAMS LANDAU clients have undergone Magnetic Resonance Imaging (”MRI”) studies to help their treating doctors diagnose their back, neck, spine injuries and orthopedic injuries. Often, South Riding workers compensation, personal injury and Social Security Disability lawyer Doug Landau’s construction worker clients have to have an x-ray to make sure they have no metal in their body BEFORE they can have the MRI testing.

Landau notes, “Just as you cannot have metal in your microwave, you should not have metal in a body that is being subjected to MRI technology.” In fact, Federal health officials have warned that patients who wear nicotine or other drug patches during M.R.I. scans risk burns, because some patches contain tiny metal elements that can be heated by the device’s huge magnet. Landau suggests that patients intending to have an MRI find out whether their patches contain metal.

For the complete New York Times article on this subject by Gardiner Harris.

Professional plowing help for ABRAMS LANDAU's Doug Landau to get to the Law Shop after the 2010 winter storm

Record setting snowfall in the Washington, D.C. area has lead to closures of the Courts, the workers compensation commissions and even ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd.  During the first snow storm, when cars could not get out of Doug Landau’s neighborhood, the intrepid Triathlon Trial Lawyer ran out to the Fairfax County Parkway and ran behind the Virginia Department of Transportation snow plows all the way to the Landau Law Shop.  The Historic Downtown District of Herndon” looked like a ghost town !

Imagine the seasoned multi-sport athlete and trial lawyer’s surprise when he saw foot prints leading up to and away from the Victorian house on the corner of Station and Center Streets !  Did the weight of the snow push in a window ?  Did looters knock down the door ? Did the 120-year-old house sustain severe storm damage ?  No, it was the tracks of the U. S. Post Office deliveryman dropping off important mail for Landau’s injured and disabled clients.  Inspired by the Federal worker’s exploits, Landau put his sock feet into plastic bags before donning his sneakers, so that his feet wold at least remain dry on the hour long trudge home.  After the snows finally stopped, Landau hired professionals to help him get his xTerra out of the neighborhood so that he could get to the office and continue to help people.

DC and Virginia injury lawyers Jay Wingfield and Doug Landau compare notes at the 2010 AAJ Winter meeting

One of the important advantages Virginia dog injury lawyer Doug Landau has over other lawyers is that he attends national and international meetings of top trial lawyers to learn the latest methods, teach and share strategies.  Most so-called personal injury lawyers are too cheap to attend and unwilling to pen their minds up to new ideas and methods of truly helping injured victims and their families.  It takes time, effort and money to attend, support the programming and teach for the state and national trial bar and speciality organizations.  Reading the law journals simply is not enough these days.  While Landau actually goes through the Bar Association journals from Florida, New Jersey, Virginia, Fairfax and the District of Columbia, getting additional information online and especially in person is critical to staying current with trends in the law and medicine.  ABRAMS LANDAU has been a long-time sponsor of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Annual convention, and has taught on numerous state and national Continuing Legal Education programs.  If you would like to see Fairfax, Loudon and Leesburg injury lawyer Doug Landau  “in action,” teaching, trying cases  or racing, please e-mail us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., or call 703-796-9555 today.