A Florida pastor is suing OpenAI after alleging that ChatGPT failed to recognize the warning signs of a life-threatening medical emergency and nearly caused his death by repeatedly providing misleading health advice instead of urging him to seek immediate medical care.
Scott Winters, 55, claims the chatbot incorrectly attributed his symptoms to existing health conditions for weeks, delaying treatment for what was later diagnosed as a massive pulmonary embolism caused by multiple blood clots in both lungs.
The lawsuit accuses OpenAI of negligence and the unauthorized practice of medicine, making it the first known case arguing that a general-purpose AI chatbot should be held legally responsible for harmful medical advice.
According to the complaint, Winters began using ChatGPT in 2024 to discuss chronic health issues. While the chatbot initially encouraged him to consult healthcare professionals, he alleges those warnings gradually disappeared as the conversations continued.
After OpenAI introduced its cross-chat memory feature in 2025, Winters says ChatGPT began tailoring responses using details from previous conversations, including references to his Christian faith, offering reassurance instead of encouraging medical evaluation.
As his condition worsened, the lawsuit claims ChatGPT repeatedly downplayed symptoms such as dizziness, suggested recovery plans, and even discouraged hospital visits despite growing warning signs. Hours after ChatGPT reportedly dismissed new pain as a minor issue, Winters suffered a massive pulmonary embolism that required emergency treatment.
The lawsuit seeks financial damages and asks the court to halt ChatGPT Health until it can be shown to provide safe medical guidance. OpenAI responded by emphasizing that ChatGPT is not a doctor and should never replace professional medical care, diagnosis, or treatment. The company said AI is intended to help users organize health information and prepare for conversations with healthcare providers, not make medical decisions on its own.