A study published in JACC: Advances reveals that medical malpractice lawsuits involving young athletes’ heart health are uncommon but often result in large settlements. From 1978 to 2024, only 35 cases were identified across 18 U.S. states, with most athletes aged around 19 years and only 3% female.
Negligent emergency response and missed cardiovascular disease diagnoses were the leading allegations. Nearly half the cases favored defendants, but plaintiff settlements ranged up to $29.7 million (inflation-adjusted).
The authors stress improving emergency preparedness—through training in cardiac arrest recognition, CPR, emergency action plans, and AED availability—as critical to reducing risks.
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