Dr. Hitoshi Nikaidoh

We represented the family of Jesica Santillan, a loving teenager who died receiving organs of the wrong blood type in a heart-lung transplant at Duke Medical Center and Dr. Hitoshi Nikaidoh, an outstanding young physician decapitated while stepping into a defective elevator.

Dr. Hitoshi Nikaidoh graduated from the University of Texas-Houston Medical School just last month prior to becoming a resident physician at Christus Saint Joseph Hospital when a malfunctioning elevator crushed then decapitated him on Saturday.

Dr. Nikaidoh was an active member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church where friends and family will gather Tuesday evening for a memorial service.

The 35-year-old doctor will be remembered for his bright smile and his many acts of kindness.

He worked with high school students at St. Vincent de Paul Church, he volunteered in the clinic for the homeless and always made time for his family, especially his father, a Dallas surgeon.
...
Nikaidoh was stepping into a second-floor elevator about 9:30 a.m. Saturday when the doors suddenly closed, pinning his shoulders.His head was severed when the elevator car moved upward.A female hospital employee witnessed the accident and spent about 20 minutes trapped inside the malfunctioning elevator until firefighters were able to rescue her.
...
The entire elevator bank where Nikaidoh was killed was pulled from operation, but St. Joseph Hospital officials said the decision won't affect patient services.

The firm has handled several high-profile cases, such as Jesica Santillan, the young Mexican girl who died after receiving organs of the wrong blood type in a heart-lung transplant at Duke Medical Center, and Hitoshi Nikaidoh, the outstanding young physician who was tragically killed while stepping into an elevator.

The Nations Law Firm has handled several high-profile cases, such as Jesica Santillan, the young Mexican girl who died after receiving organs of the wrong blood type in a heart-lung transplant at Duke Medical Center, and Hitoshi Nikaidoh, the outstanding young physician who was tragically killed while stepping into an elevator.

Hitoshi Nikaidoh, 35, a surgical resident at Christus St. Joseph Hospital, stepped onto a second-floor elevator Saturday when the doors closed, pinning his shoulders, The Houston Chronicle reported.The elevator car went up and he was decapitated.A hospital employee was on the elevator at the time and was trapped for 15 to 20 minutes.The woman was uninjured, but treated in the emergency room for shock, police said.Police have launched an investigation into the accident.St. Joseph Hospital officials have taken the entire elevator bank out of service, the newspaper reported.Nikaidoh was a member of the 2003 class of the University of Texas-Houston Medical School.He became a devout Christian, his father said, and aspired to be a missionary doctor.