Florida pastor sues OpenAI, says ChatGPT's medical advice delayed emergency treatment: Report

OpenAI is facing yet another lawsuit, this time from a Florida pastor who alleges that ChatGPT's medical advice discouraged him from seeking emergency treatment, ultimately leading to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism, according to a report by The New York Times. The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday in the Superior Court of California in San Francisco, accuses OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, of negligence.

According to the complaint, ChatGPT repeatedly downplayed the pastor's symptoms, telling him they were "not something serious" and advising against seeking medical attention. The plaintiff, Scott Winters, alleges that the chatbot encouraged him to trust its assessment despite his worsening condition.

The lawsuit further claims that ChatGPT went beyond providing general information by offering possible diagnoses, treatment plans and medication advice while repeatedly discouraging Winters from seeking professional medical care, despite persistent urging from friends, family and fellow church members. The complaint also alleges that OpenAI's safety safeguards failed to detect the pattern of conversations and continued providing similar medical advice.

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Winters and a nonprofit organization are seeking financial damages. They are also asking the court to halt ChatGPT's health-related features until they undergo an independent safety review and additional safeguards are implemented.

According to the lawsuit, when Winters told ChatGPT that members of his church were urging him to visit a doctor, the chatbot allegedly responded that "most people (including well-meaning church members) simply don't understand." The complaint claims ChatGPT continued reassuring him that his symptoms were not serious, even as his condition deteriorated to the point where he could no longer stand for extended periods and spent most of his time in a recliner.

The lawsuit states that on July 13, 2025, Winters asked ChatGPT about severe groin pain, which the chatbot allegedly again dismissed as a non-serious issue. Hours later, he was admitted to hospital with a pulmonary embolism. Doctors treating him reportedly said his dizziness may have been caused by a series of smaller pulmonary embolisms and that his prolonged inactivity—after spending weeks confined to a recliner—may have worsened his condition.

OpenAI responds

Responding to the lawsuit, OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri told The New York Times that the company's terms of service clearly state that ChatGPT is not intended to diagnose or treat medical conditions.

"Treating chatbots as the whole story behind people's medical decisions or outcomes oversimplifies a much bigger challenge, and risks getting in the way of people accessing powerful new tools that can aid them in their health journey," Pusateri said.

The lawsuit adds to growing scrutiny over the use of AI chatbots for healthcare guidance, particularly as technology companies continue expanding AI-powered medical services despite repeated warnings that such tools should not replace professional medical advice.