United States international Savannah DeMelo has filed a lawsuit against a hospital and two doctors, alleging medical negligence before she suffered a cardiac arrest during a match last year.
The 28-year-old Racing Louisville midfielder collapsed in the first half of an NWSL fixture against Seattle Reign on 14 September 2025.
A year after the incident, DeMelo has taken legal action against University of Louisville Health (UofL Health), Dr Sarabjeet Suri and Dr Jennifer Daily.
The lawsuit was filed in Jefferson Circuit Court in Kentucky on Tuesday, according to documents seen by BBC Sport.
Claims Of Missed Diagnosis
DeMelo’s legal filing alleges that UofL Health and the two doctors failed to provide an appropriate standard of care.
It claims the medical providers’ alleged negligence was a substantial factor in causing her serious physical injuries, including the cardiac arrest.
The filing states that Dr Daily referred DeMelo to Dr Suri in March 2025 after she reported experiencing chest pain, dizziness and shortness of breath.
Dr Suri subsequently took her medical history, carried out a physical examination and ordered diagnostic tests.
However, nearly six months later, DeMelo suffered a cardiac arrest during the match in Seattle.
She was later diagnosed and treated for ventricular tachycardia, an abnormal heart rhythm.
Dr Daily is listed as Racing Louisville’s chief medical officer, while the lawsuit states that DeMelo remained under her care from January 2024 until July 2026.
The case concerns allegations made by DeMelo, which have not been proven in court.
DeMelo Speaks About Difficult Year
DeMelo has not played competitively since collapsing during the match last September.
On the anniversary of the incident, she publicly addressed what had happened for the first time, revealing that she had suffered cardiac arrest because of an undiagnosed cardiac arrhythmia.
“I’ll never be able to fully put into words how emotionally hard this year has been,” she wrote on Instagram
“There has been a lot of uncertainty and emotions intertwined with it all.”
DeMelo also expressed her gratitude towards the medical professionals who helped her during her recovery, as well as her fiance, family and friends.
The midfielder has spent her entire professional career with Racing Louisville after being selected fourth overall in the 2022 NWSL Draft.
She earned seven senior caps for the United States and was included in the squad for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, starting the team’s opening two matches.
What Comes Next?
The lawsuit arrives as DeMelo’s future in football remains uncertain.
She has not featured for Louisville since the cardiac arrest, although reports indicate that she has returned to full training and could be nearing a potential comeback.
Her contract with Racing Louisville is also set to expire, with reports suggesting the midfielder is close to agreeing a new deal with the club, subject to league approval.
UofL Health has said it cannot comment on pending litigation.
For DeMelo, the legal case represents another chapter in a year defined by uncertainty, recovery and the challenge of returning to the sport she has played professionally since 2022.
