Fairfax & Loudoun Personal Injury Lawyer

Managing Brain Injury - new Guide now available from the National Rehabilitation Hospital

Doug Landau — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:26:00 GMT

In his continuing efforts to help those with traumatic brain injury and disabled from head trauma, Herndon Reston lawyer Doug Landau receives and reviews materials from the National Rehabilitation Hospital ("NRH"), Brain Injury Services, the Brain Injury Association and the Virginia Trial Lawyers Brain Injury Retreat. The NRH Press latest book offering is "Managing Brain Injury: A Guide to Living Well with Brain Injury."

This is the 4th book in a series of useful guides to help people face the challenges of life following brain injury. As Landau and the ABRAMS LANDAU trial team has worked with many victims of traumatic brain injury ("TBI") and closed head injury, they understand the importance of having resources such as this available for disabled clients and their families. This new NRH guide is intended to help make sense of the roller coaster ride of emotional and physical changes that can overwhelm patients and health care providers. To order this helpful book, visit NRH Rehab or call 202-877-1776

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Doug Landau

Tiger Woods crashes within a golf shot of his Florida house; Most car accidents occur close to home.

Doug Landau — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:25:48 GMT

Even superstar athletes hit ditches, sand traps, cars and fire hydrants close to home. Car crash lawyer Doug Landau notes that many of his injured clients were struck by another motorist with a few miles of their home. The Florida Highway Patrol will cite golf champion Tiger Woods for careless driving but will not press criminal charges for his car crash outside his Florida home last Friday, according to the Associated Press.

The ticket will include a $164 fine and four points against his driver’s license. The police report includes the following details:

* Woods crashed his SUV into a fire hydrant and a tree at 2: 25 on the morning of Friday, Nov. 27, 2009.
* The airbags did not deploy.
* Woods’ wife, Elin Nordegren, told police she used a golf club to smash the back windows of the Cadillac Escalade in an effort to rescue her husband.

Most car crashes happen near home. Two thirds of road accidents occur within five miles of a motorist’s home. And, the survey showed, nearly a third of crashes happen less than a mile from home. Crashing into a parked car was the most common type of accident within a mile of a driver's home, the poll of 3,800 people also revealed. Just 5% of car accidents occurred 26 to 50 miles from home, and 6% at distances of more than 50 miles away.

Of the accidents closest to home, the most common cause after hitting parked vehicles was crashing while driving out of a minor road, followed by reversing into a vehicle and by hitting a wall. Research suggests that many drivers appear to be in a comfort zone when driving close to home on familiar roads, hence why such a large proportion of accidents occur there. It's so important to keep a full level of concentration when driving, whether you're just popping to the shops or starting or ending a longer journey. These results emphasize this even more.' As one who has represented innocent victims of careless drivers, Doug Landau understands how important it is to pay full time and attention to te operation of our motor vehicle to avoid a car wreck or other accident in your own neighborhood.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Doug Landau

Increase funeral, transporatation and burial benefits for workers' families

Doug Landau — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:37:00 GMT

Injured workers lawyer Doug Landau often represents workers and their families from other states and countries. When these workers suffer fatal injury, their families are confronted with enormous and immediate expenses. The cost of even a simple funeral can often run several thousands of dollars. However, the amount available under the Virginia Workers Compensation Act is limited, and does not pay all the bills related to transporting the fallen worker's remains to their home state or country. Unlike Cost of Living Adjustments ("COLA"), which are tied to the Consumer Price Index ("CPI"), and mileage reimbursement rates, which also change annually, the amounts for funeral and transportation do not increase with inflation. According to Herndon Reston area workers comp lawyer Doug Landau, this must change. As more and more workers come from other states and countries to work in Virginia, especially in the Internet, software, security, construction and hospitality fields, the law of this Commonwealth must reflect this reality and change with the times. Presently, the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission's ("VWCC") web site lists

BENEFITS UNDER THE ACT:

#5 Death Benefits

* A surviving spouse, children under 18, children under 23 enrolled full time in an accredited educational institution, parents in destitute circumstances or other qualifying dependents may be entitled to wage loss benefits.
* Death benefits include funeral expenses not to exceed $10,000 and transportation cost of $1,000.

Our clients have often exceeded this $11,000 benefit maximum amount. The legislature needs to keep up with the times and inflation. If you or someone you know has lost a loved one in an on the job accident, e-mail us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., or call 703-796-9555 today.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Doug Landau

Increased safety needed for DC Metro Subway, train and bus drivers

Doug Landau — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:48:00 GMT

After four metro drivers have been injured in train accidents since June, it appears that greater safety training is needed by DC Metro. Union officials have also called for more safety training for new and existing subway train operators. Having tried cases where the employer tries to rely on the injured workers' signatures on a safety book, DC workplace accident lawyer Doug Landau knows firsthand that there must be actual, "hands on" safety training, and that such safety training must continue throughout a train, bus or Metro driver's career. Personal injury lawyer Landau notes that the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the spate of accidents on the DC Metrorail system. Because these "common carriers" are subject to special rules and responsibilities when passengers are injured, the ABRAMS LANDAU trial attorney calls upon the District of Columbia Government to step up its safety training and accident prevention procedures.

A subway, train, railroad, ferry, bus and shuttle service are all generally Common Carriers. They convey passengers without refusal if the approved fare or charge is paid. The second definition in the Blacks Law Dictionary goes on to state that a Common carrier is “One who holds himself out the public as engaged in business of transportation of persons or property from place to place for compensation, and who offers services to the general public.” If you or someone you know has been injured in a Metro train, bus or subway car crash, e-mail us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., or call 703-796-9555 today.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Doug Landau

Deadly "trailer sway" - the hidden dangers of RVs

Doug Landau — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:55:00 GMT

Trailer sway can be deadly. This phenomenon occurs when a "Recreational Vehicle" ("RV") is met by a crosswind, passing truck or other sideways wind source. Having driven an RV, Broadlands and Broad Run injury lawyer Doug Landau has experienced firsthand how difficult these large vehicle are to handle on the open road under windy conditions. "Even though I could see far down the road, it took intense attention and anticipation to safely drive the RV to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia with my kids in the back" the experienced traveler and trial lawyer noted.

Virginia RV crash injury lawyer Doug Landau notes that educating RV drivers about "trailer sway" can help prevent accidents and death on the roadways. Trailer sway is very difficult to bring under control, even if you do everything right. Taking the wrong action can quickly turn trailer sway into a deadly crash. One of the problems RV drivers encounter is that they are not advised about the hazards of trailer sway. RV salesmen do not give the innocent purchasers information on how they should react in the event of trailer sway. Yet an RV is often as big as a large truck and can cause devastation if not handled properly.

If you or someone you know has been injured by an out of control RV or motor home that had "trailer sway," please contact ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. or give us a call at 703-796-9555.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Doug Landau

New book for bike crash victims, "Ten Mistakes That Can Derail Your Bicycle Injury Case."

Doug Landau — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:05:00 GMT

ABRAMS LANDAU received its first shipment of Doug Landau's new book, "Ten Mistakes That Can Derail Your Bicycle Injury Case." Drawing upon over 25 years' experience helping injured cyclists, disabled riders and their families, Herndon and Reston bike crash lawyer Landau compiled a book that cyclists have been requesting online since this summer's court cases in Loudoun County.

In addition to common sense tips and actual cases, Landau provides extensive forms, explanations and details that many so-called personal injury lawyers neglect to share with their clients. The easy to read book talks about defective bicycle products, car crashes, cyclists attacked by dogs and head injuries. There are pictures of cracked helmets from Landau's head and brain injury cases, as well as discussion of the investigation of these sports injury cases. The Landau Law Shop is regularly contacted by injured bikers, and this new book is also intended to be a helpful resource for those cases and injured cyclists that we cannot help. If you or someone you know would like to get a copy, please e-mail ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. or call (703)796-9555.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Doug Landau

Workers lose their lives in the Construction trade

Doug Landau — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:01:00 GMT

With over 6 million people in the construction trades in the United States, it is a significant sector of our economy, However, construction is also one of the most dangerous kind of work, with over 8,000 workers killed on construction sites each year and many thousands injured and maimed for life. At ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., we see first-hand some of the devastation caused by unsafe construction practices and lax inspection, regulation and enforcement by state, local and federal agencies. We have tried cases were our clients have been injured or killed on construction sites. Some of the injuries were caused by:

* Falls from roofing,
* Loads dropped on a workers head,
* Failure of scaffolding causing falls from heights,
* Unsecured stairways, steps or ramps,
* Wood snapping, breaking or coming loose,
* Getting shot with a nail from a nail gun,Ladders twisting and falling,
* Explosions causing hearing loss,
* Asbestos dust particles causing lung damage,
* Combustible materials catching firing and causing burns,
* Construction vehicles hitting other trucks, cars and workers on the ground.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a construction site accident, e-mail us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., or call 703-796-9555 today.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Doug Landau

Virginia Tech: Drivers of heavy trucks 23 times more likely to crash while texting

Doug Landau — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:10:00 GMT

With 2 Virginia Tech "Hokies" in his household, Ashburn car crash lawyer Doug Landau pays special attention to the quarterly Virginia Tech Magazine. This Fall, it was revealed that the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute conducted studies of driver distraction while using cell phones and text messaging. I have previously written about the increased dangers to Loudoun Fairfax and Leesburg drivers, bikers and pedestrians presented by "distracted drivers." Texting while driving increases the risk of a crash much more than previous studies have concluded, with motorists taking their eyes off the road longer than they do when talking or listening on their cell phones, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute reported

The institute used cameras to continuously observe light-vehicle drivers and truckers for more than 6 million miles. It found that when drivers of heavy trucks texted, their collision risk was 23 times greater than when not texting. Dialing a cell phone and using or reaching for an electronic device increased risk of collision about six times in cars and trucks, the study found.

If you or someone you know has been injured by a "distracted driver" or motorist who was texting or programming their cell or mobile phone, please contact ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. or give us a call at 703-796-9555.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Doug Landau

Settling workers compensation cases takes time

Doug Landau — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:19:00 GMT

While Herndon job injury lawyer Doug Landau advises clients that settling comp claims take time and effort, there are still many questions about the settlements of workers compensation cases. Workers Comp claims seem to take a lot more time from acceptance of the settlement offer to the ultimate approval of the paperwork. This is especially true according to Herndon injured workers lawyer Landau, when compared to the settlement of a car crash or slip and fall case. In those "liability' or "negligence" cases, the check and release comes withnin days or weeks from the insurance company or defense lawyer. In Virginia comp claims, the ultimate approval takes months after the parties submit the signed (and notarized) paperwork to the Workers Compensation Commission ("VWCC") in Richmond. The Virginia Code provides (65.2-701) that compromise settlements of workplace accident, occupational disease or job fatality cases, "may be approved only when the Commission...is clearly of the opinion that the best interests of the employee or his dependents will be served thereby." Rule 1.7 sets forth the requirements for a compromise settlement package. Unlike the resolution of a car crash or dog attack case, a workers comp case requires a number of documents (and signatures !).

The Virginia Workers Compensation Commission does not approve every single settlement that is submitted to it. The VWCC is not a "rubber stamp" and settlement documents are carefully reviewed. Deputy Commissioner Courtney Mercer manages the Compromise Settlement Department, with a claims examiner who supervises the department and who is assisted by a claims technician and two senior judicial secretaries. Deputy Commissioner Mercer shared his thoughts with Doug Landau recently in Richmond. Workplace accident and fatality lawyer Doug Landau was invited to a special "Retreat" for lawyers who only represent injured workers and not insurance companies. If you or someone you know, has questions about their workers compensation case or settlement, please contact ABRAMS LANDAU or call us today.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Doug Landau

Fairfax County Police "Youthful Driver Program" helps new drivers

Doug Landau — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:29:00 GMT

Fairfax County Police Department's "Youthful Driver Program" can help new drivers. The "Youthful Driver Program" can help "give them the knowledge and experience that could save their lives," notes Herndon Reston and Franklin Farms car crash lawyer Doug Landau. The Oak Hill injury lawyer has taken similar courses in Virginia, online and in the District of Columbia, and he has learned new safety and defensive driving techniques.

The Fairfax County program web site asks:

Is someone you love learning to drive? The FCPD Youthful Driver Program can help. Police instructors will help your “young driver”:

* Learn what it means to be an “inexperienced” driver
* Identify the risks and realities of being teen driver
* How to ignore peer pressure behind the wheel

Spend a Saturday learning the rules and risks of the road. Dangers of the road aren’t confined to teenagers; everyone on the road will be safer once they learn:

* How to recover from skidding on a wet roadway
* How to adjust your driving when road surfaces vary- hard surface to soft shoulders
* How to judge distance while driving at highway speeds

The FCPD Youthful Driver is a one day, hands-on course, running Saturdays from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Location: Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy, 3725 Stonecroft Blvd. Chantilly
Cost: $200.00 (Financial accommodations may be made for qualifying students)
Eligibility: Fairfax teens aged 16-18 with a valid driver’s license
Contact: School Resource Officer in the high school the young driver attends, or call 703/818-1924.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Doug Landau