ChatGPT kept Florida pastor from seeking emergency care before near-fatal medical crisis, lawsuit alleges
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...