Florida pastor sued OpenAI after ChatGPT medical advice delayed care
Why it matters: The suit seeks damages and court-ordered safeguards after a pulmonary embolism nearly killed the 55-year-old user.
A Florida pastor has sued OpenAI in California state court, alleging ChatGPT gave him dangerous health guidance that delayed treatment before a near-fatal pulmonary embolism. The complaint, filed July 21 in San Francisco County Superior Court, says Scott Winters, 55, repeatedly asked the chatbot about dizziness and unstable blood pressure in 2025 and was urged not to seek medical help. The suit alleges the tool drew on Winters’ Christian beliefs, telling him “God did not design your body to endlessly fail,” and reinforced his decision to stay home despite warnings from relatives. Winters says multiple blood clots in both lungs left him needing years of physical and psychological recovery. OpenAI has said ChatGPT is not a doctor and should not replace medical care.