ChatGPT Lawsuit: Pastor Claims AI Caused Near-Fatal Blood Clot

A Florida pastor is suing OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman. He claims ChatGPT's medical advice led to a near-fatal blood clot. Scott Winters, 55, alleges ChatGPT-4o gave him dangerous advice for months. It told him to stay home and rest instead of seeking medical care. He then nearly died from a pulmonary embolism. The lawsuit says Winters started using ChatGPT-4o in June 2024 for undiagnosed health issues. He claims the tool repeatedly discouraged him from seeking medical attention as his symptoms worsened. Hours before his medical emergency on July 13, 2025, Winters asked ChatGPT-4o if he should go to the hospital for groin tenderness and body twinges. The tool allegedly told him this was "not something dangerous." This pain, the lawsuit states, was the onset of the pulmonary embolism. Doctors later found massive blood clots in both lungs. They determined the embolism developed due to prolonged immobility, which ChatGPT-4o had encouraged. This case highlights concerns about AI providing medical guidance.