Abrams Landau, Ltd.

07/22/2024

What is an Escrow and Why Does it Have My Check?

To stay secure and protect clients, good lawyers maintain a “trust account” with a reputable bank. Lawyers are not allowed to gain interest on these accounts, as that could incentivize some lawyers to take their sweet time distributing money. Trusts, also known as escrow accounts, are where the Abrams Landau firm holds a client’s settlement funds for distribution.

This almost never happens in a Worker’s Compensation case, where the money is sent directly to the worker and the attorney for costs and legal fees. However, in car crash cases, bike accidents, and other negligence cases, the settlement check often has to go through a trust account, which takes a week or more.

This is because large settlement checks in negligence cases need to “clear” the bank, meaning the funds must be deposited into the trust account before they can be disbursed. If there are no claims against these funds, other than what is to be distributed to the client and the law firm, the money can then be disbursed via an escrow check.

Doug Landau has been known to personally deliver large settlement checks across the country, including on the race course at the Wi******er Apple Blossom Festival, over ice cream in Orange County, and to Law Offices in the District of Columbia and beyond.

Read more on our Abrams Landau Injury Law Site:

What is “escrow” and why does my settlement check have to go there? To stay secure and protect clients, good lawyers maintain a “trust account” with a reputable bank. Lawyers are not allowed to gain interest on these accounts, as that could incentivize some lawyers to take their sweet time d...

07/18/2024

Continuing the Abrams Landau Tradition of “Come See Us In Action!”

As the only law firm that invites clients, families, and even witnesses to observe us "in action," it was gratifying to have several people join us this month at a Workers' Compensation Hearing in Manassas. This case was unique as the injured client was also the company's owner. Due to the sensitive nature of their work, no photographs, diagrams, or measurements of the fall could be used in court. The written decision for their case was received just two weeks after the hearing. They were awarded compensation for past wage loss, transportation expenses, and the "foundation" for future compensation, including permanent impairment, partial wage loss, and treatment.

Doug Landau requests clients who do not suffer from severe brain injury to come to court. This allows them to see him try a case BEFORE their all-important “day in court” and reduce their anxiety. Real cases are not like what you see on television or in the movies. Real cases do not have commercial breaks; they do not finish in the half-hour; and there are lots of “hurry up and wait!” Lawyer Landau subscribes to the strategy that “the best surprise is NO surprise.” Professional sports teams send scouts to research the venue and the opposition; why wouldn’t a lawyer and client do the same? It takes more time, effort, and money. However, the “dividends” are immense, for counsel, the trial team, the client, and their family.

In addition to letting clients know when and where we are trying cases, teaching, giving speeches, and traveling, Landau also enjoys meeting with past and present clients before and after races nationwide. He’s even met with a client in Australia after the World Championships who became a lawyer with his settlement that the Abrams Landau team helped to achieve! Recently, Landau met with lawyers and clients while participating in the East Coast Triathlon Festival. In addition to being the venue for the Youth and Junior National Championships, this was also where the Virginia Super Sprint Triathlon Championships took place.

Read more at

As the only Law Firm that requests clients, families, and even witnesses to come see us “in action,” it was gratifying to see several this month come to a Worker’s Compensation Hearing in Manassas. this case was unusual as the injured client was also the company’s owner! Because of the sensi...

08/31/2023

Travels & Adventures with the Abrams Landau Team

During the summer, when some courts are closed and many go on vacation because their kids are out of school, members of the Abrams Landau Team also take some time off to be with their families or go on adventures.

This summer, Senior Legal Assistant, Beatriz Vargas went to Mexico for a fortnight to see family and friends.

Worker’s Compensation Paralegal, Rachel Hirsch visited family, friends, and some concerts, prior to her starting Law School in the Fall. She will still be helping out at the Landau Law Shop, but with different hours (due to her class schedule).

Likewise, Niki Muppidi will be starting at UCLA in September. She has been assisting Mr. Landau with our monthly newsletters, posts on our various websites, and other social media. She will continue to work on the West Coast when school starts.

Joining the Worker’s Compensation team is another staff member who enjoys traveling, Sofia Bartalone. Sofia has prior experience at a Worker's Compensation Insurance Defense Firm, as well as with the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court visitation department.

Melissa Landau just completed a weeks-long bike tour with her daughter-in-law from Albany, New York to Brooklyn. A distance of over 250 miles! They camped out in tents and enjoyed visiting such places as the Culinary Institute of America, "Doug's Pretty Good Pub," and the New York State Rails-to-Trails system.

Senior Negligence Paralegal, Kristin Tanzi and her husband went from California to Georgia. She has basically perfected working remotely since before COVID-19.

Doug Landau did not compete at the Multisport National Championships in Texas, or the USAT Sprint Triathlon National Championship in Wisconsin. He, nevertheless, has started racing again and traveled to see family, friends, and clients in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

Doug and Melissa just came back from traveling to Califonia for a wedding and will use this Labor Day weekend to rest up!

07/04/2022

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!! 🎆🎇

02/07/2022

Dave Conover definitely knows his stuff when it comes to . The guy's been officiating for over 20 years for cryin' out loud! We highly recommend all the cyclists out there listen to what he has to say about during races.

With the 2022 triathlon season around the corner, it’s important to understand triathlon cycling rules in order to avoid accident and injury, which, on the cycling portion of races, tend to be more common and more severe. Amateur and veteran triathletes alike would do well to brush up on what is a...

01/31/2022

NOT a great idea to coach your witness during a deposition...but trying to do it secretly, over text, during a remote deposition? And then texting it to the OPPOSING counsel? Well, that's just comedy...

A lawyer was suspended by the Florida Supreme Court for texting instructions to his client during a telephonic deposition

01/29/2022

in the crowd needing a pick-me-up? This video might do the trick to hold you over until 2022 season gets rolling!

For triathletes who are itching for triathlon season to restart, this video from the Pleasants Landing Triathlon might help you start to get back in gear!

01/25/2022

Time to mask up at the VWCC!

VWCC's masking requirement update: all persons entering a commission office or hearing location must wear mask, regardless of COVID vaccination status.

01/25/2022

We are looking for a terrific nurse to review medical records, do chronologies, perhaps attend medical exams with clients & assist us on a case by case basis. Our wonderful nurse has retired, so we need some smart, empathetic person to help us help our injured & disabled clients. Great job for a nurse looking to make some extra money, or for someone who wants to work from home in between child care & other responsibilities. Please let us know if you or someone you know may be interested in working with us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd.

01/24/2022

We are looking for a terrific nurse to review medical records, do chronologies, perhaps attend medical exams with clients & assist us on a case by case basis. Our wonderful nurse Diana Atkins has retired, so we need some smart, empathetic person to help us help our injured & disabled clients. Great job for a nurse looking to make some extra money, or for someone who wants to work from home in between child care & other responsibilities. Please let us know if you or someone you know may be interested in working with us at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd.

01/24/2022

Car insurance minimum limits in : $25k/person & $50k per crash. But is this really enough to protect you? The reality is NO. Thankfully, the law just changed and limits are increasing. Read on!

Virginia car insurance minimum limits were only $25,000/person & $50,000/crash, leaving you with subpar protection. But minimum limits are now going up!

01/14/2022

We made the law firms Honor Roll! er, Dean's List? .....All-Star roster?

Well, WHATEVER you call it, Abrams Landau was named to the U.S. News & Best Lawyers rankings for 2022!

ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. was once again named among the best law firms, by MULTIPLE attorney rating services for the year 2022!

01/11/2022

A truck crashes into you as you are driving your vehicle for work. ? ? Who has a claim, you or the trucker?

Actually it could be ALL of the above. At least 4 cases could arise from this same set of facts.

If a commercial truck crashes into a motorist, there may be FOUR different potential cases that arise from the same set of facts. How is this possible?

01/07/2022

What happens if you get injured on the job but you were in violation of a company safety rule? Are you out of luck, destined to lose any workers' compensation claim?

Not necessarily, not in Virginia. Read on to see why these cases can still be winnable in several ways.

An employee's violation of a known and enforced safety rule isn't always disqualifying for the injured employee's workers' comp claim.

01/05/2022

You're injured due to negligence during an international flight. But it's hard to know where you were when it occurred. Was your plane still between domestic airports before departing the US, or over the Atlantic or the Middle East? So how to know where to pursue damages?

Luckily, there is an international treaty that addresses this.

The "Montreal Convention" international air travel treaty could offer protection to passengers injured during international flight itineraries

12/06/2021

Nurse case managers are always so NICE on the phone! They just want to help us, right?…right?

If you've ever tried to claim compensation for a work injury, you may have learned the hard way that nurse case managers are there to protect the interests of the employer's insurance company, not your own.

Nurse case managers dress themselves up in apparent friendliness and supportiveness. But they do not usually have your best interests at heart

11/24/2021

For Giving Tuesday this year consider joining the fight with ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. and the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association to prevent traumatic brain injury to children!

Our initiative to prevent traumatic brain injury to children needs your help to be able to continue providing helmets to needy kids. Consider donating this Giving Tuesday.

11/23/2021

If you receive weekly compensation checks for a past injury, is the amount you receive fixed?

Luckily, your checks can increase based on yearly cost-of-living adjustments. Read on to find out just how much money this could mean for you.

Cost-of-living adjustments mean clients may be entitled to an increase in their weekly compensation checks for past on-the-job injuries.

11/17/2021

Is the fund running out? Are our kids' retirement payments in trouble? While there are definitely reasons for concern, there are also reasons not to panic.

There is concern lately over the Social Security Admin. drawing down its trust fund, and how much that will affect future Social Security benefits payments.

11/15/2021

"Racing on the run" is a favorite Landau pastime! As frequent travelers, we always have our eyes open for local races wherever we are. It's a great way not only to stay in shape, but to meet people and get better acquainted with communities all over!

Grass, dirt, gravel and a little bit of pavement on the undulating cross country course at the Hartness Half Marathon & 5km races was the order of the day for Melissa & Doug Landau, who were in South Carolina for a dear friend’s wedding. Always on the lookout for a race when traveling, the Landaus

11/12/2021

We all know about the dangers of distracted driving, but what about distracted walking? And what happens legally when a pedestrian distracted on their cell phone causes a bike accident?

Distracted walking can lead to disastrous results! Leading cyclist taken out by pedestrian on cell phone right in front of the Finish Line.

11/09/2021

A common question from Workers Comp clients is, "CAN I CHANGE JOBS IF I AM HURT AT WORK?" Read up to find out.

Can I change jobs if I am hurt at work? This is one of those questions we are asked regularly. Read on for Attorney Doug Landau's answer.

10/05/2021

"Youth bike mechanic" -- not a job you might have realized was even a thing, but at Phoenix Bikes it is! Liam and Aelin are two young mechanics who are part of the Earn-a-Bike program there. Read about WHAT, HOW, and WHY here.

Meet Aelin and Liam, two of the many young bike mechanics positively impacted by the Earn-a-Bike program at Phoenix Bikes.

09/20/2021

Read all about our recent visit to Arlington's own Phoenix Bikes, and how they use bike building as a way to empower local youth, on our Athlete's Lawyer blog!

https://buff.ly/3hMsKLy

07/28/2021

https://valawyersweekly.com/2021/07/27/virginias-go-to-lawyers-workers-comp-law-doug-landau/

Named by my peers to LAWYERS WEEKLY "Go To Lawyers" for injured workers, I was one of only 2 lawyers who did not send in a formal photo in a suit or fancy outfit. I figured it's hard to beat a TeamUSA kit & a photo from Australia competing at the World Championships for your country!

Douglas K.W. Landau ABRAMS LANDAU Ltd. Herndon Education Boston University Graduate studies, Sargent College of Allied Health Sciences University of Miami School of Law Best known for: Crazy, unusu…

05/21/2021

Check out our latest email newsletter for our blog posts, updates, giveaways and videos!

05/18/2021

Sometimes, you can have multiple cases for one incident. The Abrams Landau law firm has decades of experience helping clients with their personal injury, workers comp and Social Security Disability cases/claims all regarding one accident, allowing them to get the full compensation they deserve. Find out more here: landauinjurylaw.com

04/17/2021

As one who regularly donates blood, attorney Doug Landau was wondering what the statistics were and whether there was an impact on athletes who give blood. According to the Red Cross, every 2 seconds there’s an American in need of blood, requiring roughly 41,000 donations per day. Read more on our Athlete's Lawyer blog:

As one who regularly donates blood, Doug Landau was wondering what the statistics were and whether there was an impact on athletes who give blood. According to the Red Cross, every 2 seconds there’s an American in need of blood, requiring roughly 41,000 donations per day. In the United States of A...

04/09/2021

Some FAQ: What are typical case costs in workers comp claims? How are they paid? Will I be given advance notice? Does the insurance company have to pay my expenses? How about my attorneys fees?
Find out on our Landau Injury Law blog: https://buff.ly/3fX1AkN

03/26/2021

You Don't Always Need to Be Bitten to Recover a Settlement in Dog Attack Cases
Click here to read more on our Landau Injury Law blog: https://buff.ly/2PbWiqz