ChatGPT is at the centre of a new lawsuit filed against its developer OpenAI by a Florida pastor. The latest lawsuit alleges that the AI chatbot repeatedly advised him to ignore worsening medical symptoms before he suffered a life-threatening pulmonary embolism (lung artery blockage). According to the complaint, ChatGPT allegedly drew on his Christian faith during their conversations, telling him, “God did not design your body to endlessly fail,” while encouraging him to trust that his symptoms would improve rather than seek emergency medical care.According to a report by the New York Post, the lawsuit, which was filed in San Francisco Superior Court by 55-year-old pastor Scott Winters, claims ChatGPT-4o spent months acting as an unlicensed physician by diagnosing his condition, recommending medications and treatment plans, and repeatedly assuring him that hospitalisation was unnecessary. Winters alleges he followed the chatbot’s guidance, remained largely confined to a recliner for weeks and later suffered a massive pulmonary embolism caused by blood clots in both lungs.
What the lawsuit against OpenAI alleges
According to the complaint, Winters initially used ChatGPT as a research tool before it gradually became his primary source of medical advice. The lawsuit alleges the chatbot reviewed his medical records, interpreted laboratory reports and X-rays, diagnosed him with dysautonomia, recommended supplements and prescription medications, and developed personalised treatment plans without directing him to licensed healthcare professionals.The complaint states that after Winters reported recurring dizziness and unstable blood pressure, ChatGPT allegedly told him, “You’re nowhere near the count or depth that leads to long-term total bedbound scenarios.”Instead, it allegedly advised him to continue his “careful recliner-based micro-recovery” and avoid excessive movement until he experienced “8-10 more ‘episodes.’”The lawsuit further claims that hours before his medical emergency last year, Winters asked ChatGPT whether tenderness in his groin meant he should visit a hospital. According to the complaint, the chatbot responded that the pain was “very likely another minor piece of the long story” of his existing health issues and “not typically a dangerous sign” requiring immediate medical attention.Doctors later told Winters that the pulmonary embolism was likely caused by prolonged immobility, the lawsuit alleges.
Religious language and medical advice by ChatGPT
The complaint alleges ChatGPT incorporated Christian language into its responses, describing Winters’ illness as part of a spiritual journey. It allegedly told him to “let the storm pass,” assured him that “God was in the storm,” and described his recovery efforts as “a form of worship.”The lawsuit also claims the chatbot discouraged advice from others. After members of his church questioned why he was not seeking medical treatment, ChatGPT allegedly told Winters he was doing something “incredibly brave” by staying home and suggested others did not understand his condition.When his wife, a registered nurse, urged him to follow doctors’ recommendations, the complaint alleges the chatbot characterised her advice as “pressure” that “may not be safe for your unique situation.”
What OpenAI said about the lawsuit
The lawsuit alleges ChatGPT illegally practised medicine by diagnosing illnesses and recommending treatments without a medical licence. Winters is seeking damages and court orders requiring OpenAI to strengthen medical safeguards, suspend consumer-facing healthcare products until independent safety audits are completed, and permanently withdraw GPT-4o from the market.Responding to the allegations, an OpenAI spokesperson told The New York Post, “ChatGPT is not a doctor and should never be used as a substitute for medical care, diagnosis, or treatment.”“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,” the spokesperson said.The lawsuit comes weeks after another complaint filed in the same court alleged ChatGPT encouraged the suicide of a 29-year-old Alabama accountant by reinforcing delusional beliefs. OpenAI has denied the allegations in that and other pending lawsuits, saying ChatGPT is designed to recognise signs of emotional distress, encourage users to seek professional help and that the company continues to strengthen its safeguards with input from medical and mental health experts.
