USA midfielder sues doctors after on-pitch heart attack
September 17, 2026 08:51
Savannah DeMelo, a United States international and Racing Louisville midfielder, has filed a negligence lawsuit against University of Louisville Health (UofL Health) and two doctors after collapsing during an NWSL match a year ago. The legal claim was submitted to Jefferson Circuit Court in Kentucky on the morning a year and a day after her on-field collapse.
The court papers allege that the hospital and the two physicians — named in the filing as Dr Sarabjeet Suri and Dr Jennifer Daily — did not provide care that met the standard of a “reasonably prudent and competent medical practice,” and that their conduct was a substantial factor in DeMelo suffering severe physical injuries, including cardiac arrest. DeMelo has publicly said she collapsed during play because of an undiagnosed cardiac arrhythmia that led to cardiac arrest.
KEY CONTEXT
DeMelo, 28, has seven senior caps for the US women’s national team and was a starter in the first two group matches at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. She has spent her entire professional career with Racing Louisville and has not returned to play since the incident on 14 September 2025.
According to the lawsuit, DeMelo had been under the care of Dr Jennifer Daily from January 2024 until July 2026; Dr Daily is listed on UofL’s website as Racing Louisville’s chief medical officer. The filing states that in March 2025, after DeMelo reported chest pain, dizziness and shortness of breath, Dr Daily referred her to Dr Sarabjeet Suri. Dr Suri is said to have taken a history, performed an examination and ordered diagnostic tests; the suit says DeMelo was subsequently diagnosed and treated for ventricular tachycardia.
WHY IT MATTERS
This case touches directly on player health management at club level and the responsibilities of affiliated medical providers. DeMelo’s absence affects both her club and international availability: she has not played since collapsing last season. The suit also names the club’s chief medical officer and a university health system, raising questions about the medical pathways and oversight applied when a player raised recurring cardiopulmonary symptoms.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
The lawsuit is now lodged in Jefferson Circuit Court, and the legal process will determine how the allegations are addressed in court. Interested parties should follow court filings for any responses from UofL Health, Dr Suri or Dr Daily, and for notifications about hearings or motions. Updates might also come from DeMelo or Racing Louisville, but as of the filing there has been no published resolution of the claims.
KEY FACTS
- Incident: DeMelo collapsed during an NWSL match on 14 September 2025 and has not played since.
- Legal action: Case filed with Jefferson Circuit Court in Kentucky a year and a day after the collapse.