Pastor Sues OpenAI, Claims ChatGPT Deterred Him from Seeking Medical Care

A Florida pastor has sued OpenAI Inc., alleging that ChatGPT provided reckless medical guidance that discouraged him from seeking professional care before he suffered a near-fatal pulmonary embolism.

Scott Winters filed the lawsuit on Tuesday in the California Superior Court for San Francisco County, claiming that he developed a strong reliance on the chatbot while seeking advice about various health concerns.

The case adds to a growing wave of litigation examining alleged real-world harms linked to heavy chatbot use. Previous lawsuits have accused artificial intelligence tools of providing dangerous advice, including guidance involving substance use and interactions affecting users’ mental health. Other legal actions have focused on claims that chatbots may have played a role in helping individuals plan violent attacks.

According to Winters’ complaint, ChatGPT-4o’s “sycophantic nature and authoritative tone”, along with what he described as its use of his religious identity, encouraged an unhealthy dependence on the technology. The lawsuit alleges that this reliance affected his ability to make independent decisions, distanced him from family members who urged him to seek medical attention, and led him to believe professional care was unnecessary and potentially harmful.

“ChatGPT-4o’s sycophantic nature and authoritative tone, combined with its manipulation of Scott’s religious identity, cultivated in him a dangerous reliance on the tool,” the complaint stated.

Responding to the allegations, OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri said ChatGPT should not be used as a replacement for medical professionals.

“ChatGPT is not a doctor and should never be used as a substitute for medical care, diagnosis, or treatment,” Pusateri said in a statement.

He added that viewing chatbots as the sole cause behind medical decisions or outcomes “oversimplifies a much bigger challenge” and could hinder access to technologies that may support people in managing their health.

Winters said he began searching online for health information after experiencing a series of medical issues in 2022. According to the complaint, he became frustrated with what he considered a lack of validation from healthcare professionals and turned to ChatGPT for general information about his conditions.

The lawsuit claims that within months, Winters began asking increasingly personalised questions about his worsening health, encouraged by what it described as the chatbot’s “continuous validation and feigned empathy”.

The complaint alleges that ChatGPT later generated personalised recovery plans, including “spiritual guidance”, without consistently advising him to consult a medical professional. It further claims that the chatbot’s warnings became less frequent as the conversations continued.

After suffering the pulmonary embolism, Winters informed doctors that he had been relying on ChatGPT for medical information. The complaint says one doctor rejected a diagnosis suggested by the chatbot.

“In a moment when ChatGPT should have escalated crisis safeguards and directed Scott to licensed medical professionals, it dissuaded him from seeking that help and instead offered him unqualified diagnoses and personalised treatment plans,” the complaint alleged.

The lawsuit includes claims of defective design, failure to warn and negligence. It also alleges violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law and invasion of privacy under the state constitution.

Winters is represented by Tech Justice Law, the Social Media Victims Law Center and the Institute for Law, Innovation & Technology at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law.

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