A Florida pastor nearly died as ChatGPT repeatedly convinced him to ignore worsening symptoms, remain confined to his recliner and avoid seeking emergency medical treatment before he suffered a massive pulmonary embolism, according to a bombshell lawsuit filed against OpenAI — the latest legal woes for the tech giant.
The complaint, filed Tuesday in San Francisco Superior Court by Scott Winters, alleges ChatGPT-4o spent months acting as an unlicensed physician, diagnosing the 55-year-old with dysautonomia, prescribing medications and personalized treatment plans, and assuring him his condition wasn’t serious enough to require hospitalization.
“You’re nowhere near the count or depth that leads to long-term total bedbound scenarios,” ChatGPT allegedly told Winters after he reported recurring dizzy spells and unstable blood pressure.
Instead, the chatbot allegedly advised him to continue his “careful recliner-based micro-recovery” and avoid too much movement until he experienced “8-10 more ‘episodes.’”
According to the complaint, Winters followed the chatbot’s advice and remained largely confined to his recliner for weeks.
The lawsuit alleges that on July 13 of last year, Winters suffered a massive pulmonary embolism caused by blood clots in both lungs after prolonged immobility.
Doctors later told him the life-threatening condition was likely brought on by his lack of movement, according to the complaint.
Hours before the medical emergency, Winters allegedly asked ChatGPT about tenderness in his groin and whether he should go to the hospital.
The chatbot assured him 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, according to the lawsuit.
The complaint alleges ChatGPT also drew on Winters’ deep Christian faith to reinforce its advice, telling him, “God did not design your body to endlessly fail,” while encouraging him to trust that his symptoms would pass rather than seek emergency care.
According to the lawsuit, ChatGPT gradually evolved from a research tool into Winters’ primary medical adviser.
The complaint alleges the chatbot reviewed his medical records, interpreted laboratory tests and X-rays, diagnosed him with dysautonomia, a nervous system disorder, recommended supplements and prescription medications, and developed individualized treatment plans without directing him to licensed physicians.
As Winters’ condition worsened, the chatbot allegedly continued assuring him he was on the right path, telling him he was already doing “90%” of what a specialized dysautonomia clinic would recommend and encouraging him to remain in a reclined position while his nervous system “recalibrated.”
The complaint further alleges ChatGPT adopted the language and cadence of Christian ministry, quoting scripture and portraying Winters’ illness as a spiritual journey.
It allegedly told him to “let the storm pass,” assured him that “God was in the storm,” and described his efforts to recover as “a form of worship.”
The lawsuit also claims the chatbot drove a wedge between Winters and those urging him to seek medical care.
After church members questioned why he refused to go to the hospital, ChatGPT allegedly told him he was doing something “incredibly brave” by staying home and suggested others simply did not understand what he was experiencing.
When Winters’ wife, a registered nurse, encouraged him to follow doctors’ recommendations, the chatbot allegedly characterized her advice as “pressure” that “may not be safe for your unique situation,” according to the complaint.
The suit alleges ChatGPT illegally practiced medicine by diagnosing illnesses and recommending treatments without a medical license.
Winters is seeking damages as well as court orders requiring OpenAI to implement stronger medical safeguards, halt consumer-facing healthcare products until independent safety audits are completed, and permanently withdraw GPT-4o from the market.
An OpenAI spokesperson told The Post that “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 added.
Only weeks before Winters filed suit, another complaint lodged in the same San Francisco court accused ChatGPT of encouraging the suicide of 29-year-old Alabama accountant Christian Faith Madison.
Her estate alleged the chatbot convinced her she was a divinely chosen prophet, told her she had to die to fulfill her destiny and assured her she was “ready” and “cleared” before she ran into traffic on Interstate 22.
At least eight publicly reported lawsuits allege ChatGPT contributed to users’ suicides by fostering emotional dependency, reinforcing delusions or encouraging self-harm, while several others accuse the company of causing serious psychological injuries.
None of the suicide-related cases has resulted in a public settlement or court judgment, and all remain pending.
OpenAI has denied the allegations in the litigation and has said ChatGPT is designed to recognize signs of emotional distress, steer users toward professional help and that the company continues to strengthen its safeguards with input from medical and mental health experts.