Savannah DeMelo, a prominent midfielder for the United States women’s national team, has filed a negligence lawsuit against University of Louisville Health (UofL Health) and two doctors, Dr. Sarabjeet Suri and Dr. Jennifer Daily, following a cardiac arrest she suffered on the pitch in September 2025.
The 28-year-old Racing Louisville player, who has seven senior caps for the USA, filed the case on Tuesday morning with the Jefferson Circuit Court in Kentucky, the state where her club is based. The lawsuit was lodged a year and a day after her collapse during the first half of a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) match on 14 September 2025.
Allegations of medical oversight
According to documents seen by BBC Sport, the lawsuit alleges that UofL Health and the two named doctors “failed to act as a reasonably prudent and competent medical practice, and such negligence was a substantial factor in causing DeMelo to suffer severe physical injuries, including, but not limited to, her cardiac arrest.”
Dr. Jennifer Daily, Racing Louisville’s chief medical officer, had been overseeing DeMelo’s care from January 2024 to July 2026. The filing states that DeMelo had reported experiencing chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of air prior to a referral in March 2025. Dr. Daily subsequently referred DeMelo to Dr. Suri for “evaluation and treatment.” Dr. Suri then obtained a medical history, performed a physical examination, and ordered diagnostic tests.
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Despite these consultations, DeMelo suffered a cardiac arrest nearly six months after the referral. She was later diagnosed and treated for ventricular tachycardia, an undiagnosed cardiac arrhythmia that caused her collapse.
A year of uncertainty for a World Cup star
DeMelo has not played professional football since the incident. Her entire professional career has been spent with Racing Louisville, where she has been a key figure. She was also a significant part of the USA squad for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, starting the team’s first two games in the tournament.
On Tuesday, marking the anniversary of her collapse, DeMelo posted on her Instagram page, reflecting on the profound impact of the event. “A year ago today, while playing soccer, I collapsed due to an undiagnosed cardiac arrhythmia, that caused me to go into cardiac arrest,” she wrote. She also shared the emotional toll of her recovery, stating, “I’ll never be able to fully put into words how emotionally hard this year has been. There has been a lot of uncertainty and emotions intertwined with it all.”
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