Suit alleges physicians' medical treatment left her prematurely menopausal

GALVESTON �- A 29-year-old Texas City woman claims a series of medical procedures between May 2005 and April 2008 caused her to suffer severe menopausal symptoms and lose her abilities to menstruate and reproduce, recent court documents say.

Sheneice Stewart is suing Drs. Harlan Wichelhaus, Hemamalini Pilla and Michael Magliolo in Galveston County District Court alleging gross negligence and malice that also cost the plaintiff her right fallopian tube and an ovary and lost the ability to produce estrogen.

In the medical malpractice lawsuit filed on March 20, the mother of two explains she spent nearly three years receiving treatment for pelvic, abdominal and vaginal pain.

Stewart originally underwent a laparoscopy, a laparotomy and a salpingo-oophorectomy, which she claims were all unsuccessful since she continued to suffer.

"The plaintiff was seen, treated, and examined by the defendants on many occasions for the recurrence of the pain and subsequent treatment," the suit says.

Numerous visits with Drs. Wichelhaus and Pilla occurred from late 2007 and early 2008.

After her last visit on April 27, 2008, Stewart checked herself into the hospital for extreme pain and vaginal bleeding. It was then Dr. Magliolo took the plaintiff to the operating room for a hysterectomy and other courses of action.

The suit argues Drs. Wichelhaus, Pilla, and Magliolo's diagnoses and actions were wrong and unnecessary.

The defendants are accused of failing to choose an appropriate procedure, consult a specialist, provide appropriate non-evasive treatment, monitor Stewart's condition or give medical and nursing care reasonably required for her condition.

The plaintiff claims to have suffered from hot flashes, depression, severe mood swings, insomnia, anhedonia, loss of appetite, and crying spells as a result of the operations.

She seeks actual and exemplary damages as well as a jury trial.

Webster attorney Chad Pinkerton is representing Stewart. Galveston County 405th District Court Judge Wayne Mallia is presiding over the case.

Case No. 09CV0378