Racing Louisville’s Savannah DeMelo sues UofL Health after on-field cardiac arrest

Savannah DeMelo sued University of Louisville Health and two physicians.

The lawsuit alleges the doctors failed to diagnose a heart condition before DeMelo’s cardiac arrest.

The suit claims UofL Health failed to act as a reasonably prudent medical practice.

The lawsuit was filed in Jefferson Circuit Court.

The filing came a year and a day after DeMelo’s on-field cardiac arrest.

Jennifer Daily is Racing Louisville’s chief medical officer and works for UofL Health, not as a club employee.

Racing Louisville has partnered with UofL Health for medical staff.

Sources said Racing Louisville will not keep UofL Health as its medical partner after this season.

DeMelo wrote that she respects the privacy people gave her this year.

DeMelo said she will never fully put into words how emotionally hard the year has been.

UofL Health said it could not comment on pending litigation.

The lawsuit seeks damages for medical bills, lost income, and permanent impairment of earning power.

DeMelo collapsed during a Sept. 14, 2025, NWSL match in Seattle.

The Seattle match was halted after DeMelo collapsed.

After the collapse DeMelo was diagnosed and treated for ventricular tachycardia.

DeMelo has not played in a match since the collapse.

DeMelo said in an Instagram post that she collapsed due to an undiagnosed cardiac arrhythmia that caused cardiac arrest.

Monday was the first time DeMelo publicly said the collapse was cardiac arrest.

DeMelo thanked doctors at the University of Washington and the Mayo Clinic.

DeMelo’s collapse was the second known on-field cardiac incident in the 2025 NWSL season.

Angel City defender Savy King collapsed in May 2025 and later had surgery for a previously unidentified heart abnormality.

In March 2025 DeMelo left a match and was hospitalized after feeling lightheaded.

DeMelo was diagnosed with Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism.

The March 2025 incident was then believed related to a medication imbalance.

A source said DeMelo could return as soon as this month, including a Sept. 25 home match against San Diego Wave.

Sources said DeMelo has reached a verbal agreement to stay at Racing Louisville, pending league approval.

DeMelo was the No. 4 pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft.

DeMelo made the U.S. 2023 World Cup roster despite having no prior national-team caps.

DeMelo started the United States’ first two games at the 2023 World Cup.