Scott Winters Sues OpenAI for Negligence After ChatGPT’s Medical Advice Led to a Near-Fatal Pulmonary Embolism

Scott Winters, a 55-year-old pastor from Florida, has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its founder, Sam Altman, alleging that the ChatGPT chatbot provided "extremely dangerous" medical recommendations. The lawsuit claims that the AI failed to recognize early symptoms of a pulmonary embolism, instead offering specific recovery plans that encouraged Winters to remain immobile in a recliner chair. The legal action argues that the chatbot’s authoritative tone and "sycophantic nature" manipulated Winters into a dangerous reliance on the tool. Because Winters is a pastor, the lawsuit highlights how ChatGPT integrated religious references into its advice, often convincing him that seeking professional medical help was unnecessary. This reliance ultimately led to a massive pulmonary embolism caused by multiple blood clots, which doctors believe were exacerbated by his immobility. OpenAI maintains that while the chatbot is a powerful tool for organizing questions and preparing for doctor visits, it is not a substitute for professional medical care. The administration announced that ChatGPT Health was designed to complement, rather than replace, clinical guidance.

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