marshalling its courses and putting on safe races. [For CTA events and information, go to www.tricolumbia.org]

Doug Landau has participated in shorter CTA races such as the Blackwater Duathlon (run-bike-run). The Triathlon Trial Lawyer intends to again compete in the ultra-competitive Columbia (MD) Olympic Distance Triathlon on May 18, 2008. Race Director Bob Vigorito is nationally known for putting on world class events and giving back to the triathlon and multisport community. He is generous with his time and resources but even the most prescient RD cannot prevent every mishap, injury or intentional recklessness.

SO, no matter how fantastic the race and its reputation, race volunteers on foot are no match for inconsiderate and negligent drivers. It is incumbent upon every competitor to use ALL THEIR SENSES so that accidents can be avoided and injuries prevented.

The Plaintiff is a friend, teammate and training partner of Mr. Landau has since the case settled, relocated from Sterling to California, in order to attend law school ! Because he was able to produce documentation as to the cost of his racing bike, he was reimbursed in the property damage claim fairly soon. However, the injuries to his body took longer to heal and the bodily injury claim settled after he had surgery and physical therapy. Representing injured athletes poses special challenges and rewards for The Athletes Lawyer, Doug Landau. One of the hard parts of these cases is keeping the IMpatient client “on the sidelines” so that he does not undo the good work that has already been done by the treating doctors and therapists. Mr. Landau’s client in this Maryland bike crash case was treated by the excellent doctors and sports medicine specialists of Town Center Orthopedics in Reston, Virginia (www.towncenterorthopaedics.com). Drs. Thal, Fleeter, Kartalian, et al., volunteer their time and services at the Reston Triathlon every year, and are also a sponsor of this event.

Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau was able to negotiate a settlement of the bodily injury case with USAA, the negligent Defendant’s automobile insurance company. The Abrams Landau client had wage loss from his job, permanency to the left shoulder post anterior capsulorrhaphy surgery (for the large flap labral tear, glenohumeral capsular tear and rotator cuff tendonitis); as well as other items of loss such as medications, travel expenses for medical treatment, etc. Because of his aggressive post-operative therapy and exercise regiment, and in no small part due to his excellent physical shape pre-crash, the Plaintiff had only a 5% permanency rating to the shoulder according to Dr. Thal. This board certified orthopedic surgeon has operated successfully on other Landau Law Shop clients, including other multi-sport athletes and cyclists. Dr. Thal is also seen on television when he and Dr. Kartalian are on the sidelines as the Washingtion Redskins team physicians.