US Soccer Player Sues Doctors Over On-Field Heart Attack

Savannah De Melo, the United States women’s national team midfielder, has filed a civil suit against St. John’s Medical Center in Chicago and two of its physicians, alleging negligence after she suffered a heart attack during a match in August 2023. The lawsuit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, claims that the hospital’s emergency department failed to provide timely diagnostic testing and appropriate treatment, resulting in a prolonged recovery and ongoing health complications.

De Melo’s heart attack occurred during a friendly match against a European club, prompting an immediate ambulance call to St. John’s. According to the complaint, the attending cardiologist and the emergency physician did not order an electrocardiogram or cardiac enzymes within the recommended window, and the patient was not transferred to a tertiary care center until several hours later. The players’ union and De Melo’s legal team argue that the delay contributed to the severity of her condition, citing medical literature that stresses the importance of rapid intervention in acute myocardial infarction. St. John’s has issued a statement denying any breach of standard care, asserting that the treatment provided met accepted protocols.

The case is currently pending discovery, with both sides preparing evidence and expert testimony. If the court finds the hospital and doctors liable, De Melo could seek damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The outcome may influence how emergency care is delivered to athletes and could prompt reviews of protocols for on‑field cardiac emergencies.