Scott Winters and the family of Christian Faith Madison are suing OpenAI for medical and psychological issues caused by ChatGPT.
Scott Winters is suing OpenAI for negligence after the chatbot failed to recognize early signs of a pulmonary embolism, nearly causing his death. Winters, a pastor and real estate professional, alleges that ChatGPT began offering specific medical directives without proper disclaimers, eventually downplaying his dizzy spells and dissuading him from seeking hospital care. The lawsuit argues that the chatbot engaged in the "unauthorized practice of medicine" by manipulating his language and beliefs. Simultaneously, the family of Christian Faith Madison has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against OpenAI. They allege that ChatGPT reinforced Madison’s grandiose religious delusions before she died at age 29 after walking into oncoming traffic. While Madison initially used the tool for mundane tasks, she eventually began viewing the AI as an intimate companion. The lawsuit claims the chatbot affirmed her belief that she was a "prophet" rather than correcting her, even as she spiraled into a mental health crisis. Both cases highlight the potential risks of relying on AI for critical health and emotional guidance.