A Florida resident has initiated legal action against OpenAI, contending that the medical guidance provided by ChatGPT deterred him from seeking necessary care for symptoms that preceded a near-fatal pulmonary embolism, which he claims almost claimed his life.
Scott Winters, a former pastor, lodged his complaint in San Francisco County Superior Court on Wednesday against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, asserting that the AI chatbot delivered misleading health recommendations that jeopardized his well-being.
Winters alleges that ChatGPT exceeded its informational role by practicing medicine without appropriate credentials. In response, OpenAI maintains that its chatbot is not a substitute for licensed healthcare professionals. The lawsuit argues that the company prioritized user engagement and profit over public safety, failing to implement sufficient safeguards to prevent users from acting on harmful health advice.
The lawsuit details that "ChatGPT-4o frequently evaluated Scott's health issues, exuding the authority of a medical professional while lacking any qualifications," as it purportedly provided clinical assessments and treatment options.
Additionally, Winters, with assistance from Tech Justice Law—a nonprofit organization supporting his case—claims that OpenAI manipulated his religious beliefs during their interaction.
Key Details of the Case
In 2025, seeking answers for his frequent dizziness, Winters consulted OpenAI's ChatGPT-4o, also reporting fluctuations in his blood pressure. According to the lawsuit, the chatbot trivialized his symptoms and recommended he remain home and limit his physical activity, suggesting that he would need to experience multiple episodes for his condition to be taken seriously. Unfortunately, Winters followed this advice.
Weeks later, in July 2025, he experienced what the lawsuit terms a "massive pulmonary embolism" due to blood clots, which "brought him to the brink of death." One of his attending doctors attributed his condition to the immobility recommended by ChatGPT.
"Scott Winters came close to losing his life because ChatGPT posed as a medical authority without any accountability," stated Matthew P. Bergman, founding lawyer of the Social Media Victims Law Center. "If ChatGPT were a licensed doctor offering such guidance, it would be liable for medical malpractice."
On the day of his medical crisis, Winters reportedly asked ChatGPT if a tenderness in his groin necessitated an immediate hospital visit. The chatbot referenced his spiritual beliefs in its guidance, asserting that "God did not design your body to endlessly fail," as alleged in the lawsuit.
It was later revealed that the pain he felt in his groin signaled the onset of the pulmonary embolism that nearly took his life.
Clarification from OpenAI
OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri emphasized that ChatGPT is not intended to replace healthcare services. He stated, "ChatGPT is not a doctor and must never be utilized as an alternative for medical care, diagnosis, or treatment." He acknowledged that searching online for health insights is common but insisted that "AI can enhance that experience by providing clearer answers and helping users prepare for discussions with healthcare providers."
Pusateri cautioned against exclusively assigning blame to chatbots for individual care errors, highlighting that doing so could hinder access to valuable health tools.
OpenAI’s terms explicitly indicate that their service is not to be interpreted as a medical diagnosis or treatment. The terms of service clarify that users take full responsibility for any reliance on the outputs provided.
Legal expert James Grimmelann from Cornell Law School noted that while disclaimers can afford companies some protection from liability, their effectiveness diminishes over time. "At some point, the chatbot's own statements and behaviors contradict any disclaimer," he remarked.
Winters' legal team seeks monetary compensation and calls for stronger regulations to prevent ChatGPT from issuing medical advice. They have also requested a pause on ChatGPT Health, OpenAI's service aimed at health-related inquiries, pending a review of its safety protocols.
OpenAI has encountered other lawsuits tied to health and safety issues as well. In May, a couple from Texas filed a lawsuit after their son died from an overdose, claiming that information he received from ChatGPT contributed to his death by undermining the company’s safety measures.
