Lawrence K. Land, P.C. Blog http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/ Lawrence K. Land, P.C. Blog en-us 2012 Lawrence K. Land, P.C., All Rights Reserved, Reproduced with Permission http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/ Sat, 19 May 2012 04:47:28 GMT Lawrence K. Land, P.C. Blog http://www.lawrenceland.com/images/logoprint.gif http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/ <![CDATA[The Brain Injury Association of America has declared March as Brain Injury Awareness Month]]> This is Lawrence Land and I have been involved in many brain injury cases throughout the years and I wanted to share information that I have gathered over the years in the hope that it may answer some of your questions.
Also feel free to visit our frequently asked questions section on brain injury, this is also very helpful.  You can also pose a question on our website and we will get back to you with an answer.
I hope this is helpful.

]]> http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/the%2Dbrain%2Dinjury%2Dassociation%2Dof%2Damerica%2Dhas%2Ddeclared%2Dmarch%2Das%2Dbrain%2Dinjury%2Dawareness%2Dmonth%2Ecfm www.lawrenceland.com-77678 Wed, 21 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Chesapeake - Navy to Move Giant Gun Barrels]]>
This is Lawrence Land, I wanted to share an article I read in the Virginian Pilot this morning. If a group of history buffs called the Coastal Defense Study Group had not stepped in we would have lost important artifacts related to our history during World War ll.
In addition to the two gun barrels from the Missouri, a third barrel could end up on display near Kiptopeke as well, if last minute plans come through for the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge.  The refuge was a coastal defense fort during World War ll.
The barrels each 68 feet long and weighing 120 tons - towered over the Japanese surrender ceremony that took place Sept. 2, 1945, on the Missouri's deck.  Since they were taken off the ship as part of routine maintenance during the 1950's, the barrels have been in storage.
St. Juliens has eight such barrels from the battleships Missouri, New Jersey and Iowa.  A storage depot in Nevada had 15 others but sold them last year as scrap.
On behalf of the group, Northern Virginia resident Terrance McGovern wrote letters to organizations, urging them to move quickly to save at least a few of the historic barrels from destruction.  Three groups responded by raising money and creating plans for transportation and display.

For the full article; http://hamptonroads.com


]]> http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/chesapeake%2Dnavy%2Dto%2Dmove%2Dgiant%2Dgun%2Dbarrels%2Ecfm www.lawrenceland.com-76554 Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[The biggest secret in the insurance industry: Diminished Value]]> http://www.autoloss.com that explains diminished value very concisely.  I share some of the article here and you can use the link to read the full article.
Thank you for your time,
Lawrence K. Land, P.C.

It has been estimated that 55% of consumers would not buy a car that has been in an accident.  81% would not havea car that had been in a wreck unless they were given a large discount.  Our survey results show the stigma may be even higher.

Insurance companies generally do not acknowledge the right to recover diminished value!

their online article (later removed from State Farm's website) "Diminished value fact or fiction?"  State Farm has tried to discourage consumers from attempting to recover diminished value.  We disagree.  Many time the claimants are not made aware of compensation for diminished value. Insurance companies would have you believe they are your advocates when in reality they are your adversaries.  Many times insurance companies will reward their adjusters based on minimizing settlements.  When a demand for diminished value is made, insurance companies may deny diminished value has happened.  Some insurance companies give adjusters scripts to help them lower the value of claims.  Claimants need to support their claims with an expert evaluation that diminished value has occurred.

For the full article; http://www.autoloss.com

]]> http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/the%2Dbiggest%2Dsecret%2Din%2Dthe%2Dinsurance%2Dindustry%2Ddiminished%2Dvalue%2Ecfm www.lawrenceland.com-75838 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT <![CDATA["5 Deadly Sins That Can Destroy Your Injury Claim"]]>
The First Deadly Sin: Talking with an insurance company before you talk to a lawyer.
The Second Deadly Sin: Hiding the Truth.
The Third Deadly Sin: Hiding your other injuries.
The Fourth Deadly Sin: Misrepresenting your ability to do activities.
The Fifth Deadly Sin: Refusing to follow doctors orders.

]]> http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/5%2Ddeadly%2Dsins%2Dthat%2Dcan%2Ddestroy%2Dyour%2Dinjury%2Dclaim%2Ecfm www.lawrenceland.com-75481 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Pavement Work on I-64 in Hampton]]> So plan your route - drivers can use the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel on I664 during the work.
Have a safe week.

Lawrence Land

http://hamptonroads.com
]]> http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/pavement%2Dwork%2Don%2Di%2D64%2Din%2Dhampton%2Ecfm www.lawrenceland.com-72808 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Hampton Roads, Va. - Part of Chesapeake Rd. Closed for Bridge Work Today]]> The road and the bridge are expected to reopen about 3:30pm or earlier if the work is completed befor then.
Drivers can use the Cheaspeake Expressway or Kempsville Road as alternate routes.

We hope this helps you to plan your day.

http://hamptonroads.com
]]> http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/hampton%2Droads%2Dva%2Dpart%2Dof%2Dchesapeake%2Drd%2Dclosed%2Dfor%2Dbridge%2Dwork%2Dtoday%2Ecfm www.lawrenceland.com-72629 Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Hockey - A Tragic Tale of Head Injuries and a Sport in Denial]]>
Written by John Branch http://www.minnpost.com Full article.

I just don’t see how any hockey fan could continue to cheer the sport's on-ice fights after reading Branch’s damning account of the devastating physical toll those sanctioned bare-fisted brawls take on the players.

And, please, don’t tell me that the enforcers are needed because they keep the other players from intentionally hurting each other. If the current rules don’t protect players from each other, then the sport should strengthen those rules with very heavy penalties — and have referees and other officials enforce them. (What a novel idea.)

Particularly upsetting is the fact that hockey players like Boogaard — ones who do not have the speed or the skills to be drafted onto a professional team for their goal-scoring abilities — are groomed from an early age to fight on the ice.

How can any parent, coach or sports official permit — indeed, encourage — a child (Boogaard began his life as a brawler in his mid teens) to become a hockey enforcer? And how can fans cheer them on?

For, as Branch makes painfully clear, those fights are not only crippling the players' bodies (causing many of them, like Boogaard, to turn to addictive painkillers), they are also destroying their brain cells


]]> http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/hockey%2Da%2Dtragic%2Dtale%2Dof%2Dhead%2Dinjuries%2Dand%2Da%2Dsport%2Din%2Ddenial%2Ecfm www.lawrenceland.com-70560 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Starting Again After Brain Injury]]> That evening, I told my friend David about my day’s big discovery. “It’s called gum and you chew it and it’s fun and there’s this one kind that will let me blow bubbles!”

“Yes, it’s called bubble gum, Jane,” he told me, patiently.

Fifty-nine months ago, I was wearing my seat belt and my car was stopped when another vehicle hit me, causing my head to fracture the windshield. That damaged my right temporal lobe, one of my neurologists explained when he told me I had a traumatic brain injury. I lost my long-term memory, and have been a brain injury patient within Harvard Medical School’s teaching hospitals ever since.

At 45, I was jolted into an entirely new existence. Memories that connected different parts of my life fragmented and vanished. It took 26 months before I was able to thread my way back unattended to the house I had lived in for 17 years.

To continue; http://www.nytimes.com

 

               

 

                  Jane Rosett is an artist at work on a multimedia project, "Adaptivitudes: Navigating My Brain Injury
                        Rehabilitation," and currently a brain injury patient at Spaulding Rehabilitation.


                       A photograph from the writer's multimedia project.

]]> http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/starting%2Dagain%2Dafter%2Dbrain%2Dinjury%2Ecfm www.lawrenceland.com-66375 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Trooper OK after Being Struck]]> ]]> http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/trooper%2Dok%2Dafter%2Dbeing%2Dstruck%2Ecfm www.lawrenceland.com-70305 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Virginia Accidents - Quickly Clear the Road]]>

The idea is to prevent secondary accidents and pileups that can easily occur when pavement is slick and drivers are going too fast for conditions.

About 20 percent of all crashes occur after an initial crash, and secondary crashes are often serious.

“Clearing the road following a minor crash and giving emergency responders plenty of room significantly reduces the chance that another collision will occur,” according to the Transportation Department.

“By minimizing exposure to passing traffic, it’s also a safety measure for victims or witnesses.

Full article; www.spokesman.com]]> http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/virginia%2Daccidents%2Dquickly%2Dclear%2Dthe%2Droad%2Ecfm www.lawrenceland.com-68827 Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Crossing Guard Killed | Chesapeake, Virginia]]> On October 3, 2011 a crossing guard was hit by a truck in Chesapeake, according to Wavy TV 10.com. The crossing guard, Lovette T. Person, was transported to Norfolk General where she died due to her injuries. She was a crossing guard for only year and a half when the incident occurred. The truck driver has been charged with reckless driving. This is a tragedy that this young woman was just doing her job to have a driver hit her because he might not have taken the necessary precautions.
]]> http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/crossing%2Dguard%2Dkilled%2Dchesapeake%2Dvirginia%2Ecfm www.lawrenceland.com-67871 Tue, 01 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Virginia Beach | Alcohol | Three deaths]]> This week Craig Watson goes on trial for charges of involuntary manslaughter, according to the Virginian Pilot. On August 11, 2010 Watson drove while intoxicated down Indian River Road when the car he was driving hit a guard rail then went through a group of trees. The blood alcohol levels were taken around the time of the accident showed Watson’s BAC was more than three times the legal limit, according to the prosecution. Speed also was a factor in the crash. The car was reportedly going 110 mph. I hope this is a lesson for everyone that drinking and driving is not the answer it affects more than just the people involved.]]> http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/virginia%2Dbeach%2Dalcohol%2Dthree%2Ddeaths%2Ecfm www.lawrenceland.com-67486 Tue, 25 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Care Giver Tips | Traumatic Brain Injury - TBI]]> Caregiver Tips www.traumaticbraininjuryatoz.org
TBI can alter the lives of the entire family, and caring for a TBI patient can be a long-term, even lifetime, commitment. For that reason, learning to manage the stress and frustration of caring for a TBI patient is vitally important. If the caregivers cannot take care of themselves emotionally and physically, they will be not be equipped to provide effective care to the TBI patient.

Although in some cases it may seem difficult or impossible, especially early on after the injury, the following tips can be helpful:

  • Remember that your friend or family member suffering from TBI often cannot control their behaviors or emotions.
     
  • Reward yourself periodically with short breaks.
     
  • Take advantage of all available support resources.
     
  • Exercise to help relieve stress, improve sleep, reduce depression and increase your energy level.
     
  • Get plenty of sleep whenever possible.
     
  • Don't be afraid to ask for help.
     
  • Remember to take advantage of the resources available to you, such as family and friends offering help, local support groups, and web-based support networks.
     
  • Take time to be alone and clear your head.
     
  • Make a to-do list of tasks and put them in order of importance. This can reduce feelings of being overwhelmed and aid in helping others to help you.
     
  • Talk about your feelings to family and friends.
     
  • Do not isolate yourself.
     
  • Realize that feelings of sadness and frustration are normal.
     
  • Educate yourself about TBI.
     
  • If it’s right for you, use prayer, meditation, and other types of spiritual support.
     
  • Try relaxation activities such as yoga, warm baths, reading, listening to music, or just spending time with friends.
     
  • If necessary, ask your doctor about whether or not medications to treat anxiety or depression might be right for you.
]]> http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/care%2Dgiver%2Dtips%2Dtraumatic%2Dbrain%2Dinjury%2Dtbi%2Ecfm www.lawrenceland.com-66027 Thu, 20 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Deer-Vehicle Accidents - Fall is Here!]]> The reason is "the rut," the time of year when deer mating occurs.
During this period, deer are restless. Bucks may be active 24 hours a day, constantly on the move in search of receptive females. This pursuit keeps does on the move, too, increasing the frequency of deer crossing roads.

During the rut, deer focus so intently on the opposite sex, they sometimes disregard dangers that would normally make them stop, look and listen. That's why it's important for motorists to be extra alert during this time of year.
Some patterns of deer behavior help motorists avoid accidents. Deer are more likely to be out and about between dusk and dawn. When you drive early or late in the day, you should be aware of the increased danger.

Deer will be more active before a weather change. If “nasty weather” is in the forecast, watch for deer to increase their activity. Usually all animals will be scurrying to gather food before the weather gets bad.
Deer often travel in groups. Seeing one deer should serve as a warning that more may be nearby. If you see a deer, slow down immediately in case others appear.
Deer-vehicle accidents are more likely to occur where roads pass through natural travel corridors, such as streams or wooded valleys.
The Department of Conservation offers the following suggestions to reduce the risk of deer-related accidents:
http://www.republican-times.com]]> http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/deervehicle%2Daccidents%2Dfall%2Dis%2Dhere%2Ecfm www.lawrenceland.com-66300 Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Don't Let Unsafe Products | Put Your Family at Risk]]> Items I OwnTM will check your items against thousands of recalls at once.

Items I OwnTM checks your items against the last ten years of CPSC recalls at once. Then, it keeps checking every day. How’s that for saving you time!

Know at a glance which items could be dangerous.

Once Items I OwnTM checks your items, their recall status will appear on your "My Items" page. If Items I OwnTM suspects a problem, just click to review potentially relevant recalls.
If your item was recalled, Items I OwnTM will tell you how to fix it or get a replacement.

No matter where you got it, or how long you've had it, Items I OwnTM Can check it.

You probably don't remember exactly where you got most things in your home, or how much they cost. That's OK. Items I OwnTM is smart!

Just tell us what you do know and, by magic (ok, it's really some complex mathematics), Items I OwnTM will sniff out the recalls relevant to you

For more information go to; http://wemakeitsafer.com/register-products-for-safety-recalls.php
]]> http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/dont%2Dlet%2Dunsafe%2Dproducts%2Dput%2Dyour%2Dfamily%2Dat%2Drisk%2Ecfm www.lawrenceland.com-64137 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Concussions Sidelining Athletes - Brain Scan]]> Instead, much of the attention is fixated on an apparent increase in the number of head injuries, particularly in light of concussions sidelining Cole Harbour’s Sidney Crosby and Halifax Mooseheads star Martin Frk, among others, for extended periods of time.

However, a local company is developing a device that it hopes will be able to reduce the number of future head injuries.

In partnership with the National Research Council’s Institute for Biodiagnostics, Mindful Scientific is planning to release what it has dubbed the Halifax Consciousness Scanner sometime in 2012.

 

 

Christopher Barden, COO of Mindful Scientific, is fitted with sensors before demonstrating a prototype device designed to measure brainwaves and diagnose symptoms related to concussions Tuesday at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax. (CHRISTIAN LAFORCE / Staff)

Continue reading; http://thechronicleherald.ca

]]> http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/concussions%2Dsidelining%2Dathletes%2Dbrain%2Dscan%2Ecfm www.lawrenceland.com-66275 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Head Injury | Chicago Blackhawks Ben Smith Returns]]>
Smith says he's feeling better but has not been cleared for contact.

"You really have to be honest with yourself and honest with them (the Hawks) about how you're feeling," Smith said after practice Tuesday. "We'll see about Friday."

Smith was hit in the head by Brendan Smith of the Red Wings as he was moving towards the net on a mini-break away early in the third period. Ben Smith intimated he didn't remember much after that until he returned to the dressing room. Knowing how much concussions have been in the news and how many players have been out for long periods of time because of them, Smith feels fortunate it wasn't worse.


Ben Smith/Chicago Blackhawks
Full article; http://espn.go.com

]]> http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/head%2Dinjury%2Dchicago%2Dblackhawks%2Dben%2Dsmith%2Dreturns%2Ecfm www.lawrenceland.com-66272 Sat, 08 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Drive Safely Work Week]]>
Of the almost 5,000 organizations that participated in the 2010 campaign, it has been reported that 88 per cent of the businesses already had or will have a mobile device policy in place this year.  This shows the desire of businesses to not only reach their employees, but families and the communities they serve.  October 1st, Nevada became the 9th state to ban handheld cell phones while driving.

NETS Drive Safely Work Week has a Toolkit that can educate employees on how to prevent distracted driving  – how it affects both those in a vehicle and those sharing the road.  You may download it from their website.  This Toolkit will benefit:

  • Those who have a workplace policy by getting tips and activities to reinforce and sustain their policies.
  • Those who have yet to establish a policy will find plenty of resources.
  • Those who aren’t interested in adopting a corporate policy but want to educate their employees can find materials on ending distracted driving.


Continue reading; http://www.blog4safety.com
]]> http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/drive%2Dsafely%2Dwork%2Dweek%2Ecfm www.lawrenceland.com-66310 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[October | Fire Prevention Month]]> th through 15th marks the 88th year fire departments from around the country have observed this event – making it the longest running public health and safety observance on record.  The theme for 2011’s observance is “Protect Your Family from Fire!”  We will look into that observance prior to that special week.  First, let’s review changes in the NYFD that have been made since 9/11.  The following is an excerpt from the NFPA Journal, written by Fred Durso, Jr.:

http://blog4safety.com]]> http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/october%2Dfire%2Dprevention%2Dmonth%2Ecfm www.lawrenceland.com-66311 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT <![CDATA["Street Eyes" Films Your Teens Driving]]>
They will film your teen driving so you can see what they are doing right and wrong.

"An appointment is arranged with the client. Our driver falls in behind with the subject vehicle, follows that vehicle for the specified period of time with the camera. And the cameras capture not only the video, but the speed and the GPS of the vehicle as well," said Jim Lipjanic, StreetEyes founder.

Lipjanic then sends a DVD to the parents showing exactly how their teen drives.

"If the teen did everything right, great, you've got some peace of mind, mom and dad. Your kid did exactly what you want them to do behind the wheel. If you see some problems, here's a chance for you to fix it before something bad happens," Lipjanic said.

But some teens think it's an invasion of privacy and wouldn't be comfortable having someone follow them as they learn to drive. Read more; www.wytv.com


]]> http://www.lawrenceland.com/blog/street%2Deyes%2Dfilms%2Dyour%2Dteens%2Ddriving%2Ecfm www.lawrenceland.com-65898 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT