Florida pastor sues OpenAI after ChatGPT dismissed his symptoms for six weeks before a near-fatal pulmonary embolism
Scott Winters, a 55-year-old Florida pastor and real estate professional, is suing OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman after he claims ChatGPT repeatedly dismissed his symptoms for six weeks, leading to a near-fatal pulmonary embolism. Winters began using ChatGPT in June 2024 for general queries but increasingly relied on it for health advice. In June 2025, the chatbot diagnosed him with dysautonomia and advised him to stay recliner-bound, discouraging him from seeking medical attention. On July 13, 2025, he was rushed to the ICU with blood clots in both lungs. Doctors attributed the embolism to his lack of movement and noted the dysautonomia diagnosis was self-sourced from the internet. The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco County Superior Court, includes eight causes of action such as strict product liability, negligence, and violations of California's Unfair Competition Law. The case highlights risks of relying on AI for medical advice.
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