My name is Emily Kaznica and I was a client of Craig Small’s Law Firm. It came about when my husband Tony, to whom I was married for over 46 years, was involved in a car accident. On Friday, January 9, 2015, he was on his way home from the bank and while sitting at a red light, a driver slid out from a side street hitting Tony’s vehicle. Tony called me and told me about the accident. The police were called to document the incident. Tony started for home which was about 2 miles away when he got dizzy and hit a parked car. The people at the scene thought that Tony may have been drinking and called the police. I was at home and was unaware of the second accident until a neighbor-police officer brought Tony’s SUV home and told me the circumstances.
I went to the hospital where Tony was taken. He kept saying ”I’m dying” “I’m not going to leave this hospital alive”. A CAT scan revealed a brain bleed. He was transferred to the Medical Intensive Care Unit. By the second day, Tony needed surgery to reduce the bleeding on his brain. We were unable to talk to each other after that. There was a second and third surgery and several extensive tests. I started getting no-fault forms to complete…it was so overwhelming!
I was referred to the Small Law Firm to assist me with all the forms and phone calls regarding this matter. Craig and his staff were so kind and compassionate. He came to the hospital, met with me and took over completely. I could not have done it without his help.
After about three weeks, the doctors operated again placing a shunt in Tony’s brain to reduce the pressure. The surgery went well, however, Tony began having seizures. When I went to the hospital the next morning, a man walked into the room and said he was from Hospice. I asked him what he was doing there. I don’t remember exactly what he said and he walked out. After a few more days they told me that my husband was in a vegetative state and I needed to consider taking him off life support. My heart broke. We had promised that we would not let each other linger on life support if we were brain dead…I made the decision to let my best friend of almost 50 years go. After a few more days in the hospital, I had Tony transferred to the Hospice on Como Park Blvd. which was closer to our home. He left me on Saturday February 14, 2015 at 8:30 A.M.
Throughout those sad weeks and almost 2 years later Tony’s cases were finally settled. Craig Small was always there for me. When I cried, he did his best to comfort me. He made it convenient for me in many ways. I would highly recommend The Craig Small Law Firm to anyone who wants an attorney who really cares.
Thank you Craig Small and support staff!
The Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT) has opened registration for the 2024 EA2EVL Fondo. Over the last three years this ride has raised $150,000 to continue to open, build, improve and maintain the 27-mile ECRT Trail that runs from Orchard Park to Ashford, NY. The trail association is making so much progress because of YOUR SUPPORT!
#1 - Date: This year, the 42-mile charity bike ride will be held on Saturday, October 5th.
#2 - Same Route: How could you forget! The fondo—or non-competitive bike ride—starts at 42 North Brewing in East Aurora and goes down Route 240, heading west on Rt 242 into Ellicottville.
#3 - Party On: EA2EVL ends with a celebration—music, food, drinks—at the Holiday Valley Resort.
#4 - Fundraising Awards: Your registration gets you into the event, access to our course and rest stop amenities. We’re asking each rider to fundraise for the ECRT Trail: A $100 donation earns you an event t-shirt and tickets for food/drink at the party.If you raise $500 or more, you get an EA2EVL event jersey, plus all of the above. Our top fundraiser gets all of the above PLUS gets to wear the yellow jersey and a $500 gift certificate from Tom's Pro Bike!!
#5 - Register Today: Sign up today, raise some money for ECRT, and enjoy the party and a great fall ride!