Winters v OpenAI LLC
Winters v. OpenAI LLC is a California product-liability and consumer-protection case filed on July 22, 2026, in San Francisco Superior Court by Florida pastor Scott Winters against OpenAI and its chief executive, Sam Altman. Winters alleges that ChatGPT-4o discouraged him from seeking timely medical treatment for symptoms later diagnosed as pulmonary emboli.[1][2]
Case Information
[edit]| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Case Name | Scott Winters v. OpenAI, L.L.C. and Sam Altman[1] |
| Court | Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco[1] |
| Filed | July 22, 2026[1] |
| Plaintiff | Scott Winters[1] |
| Defendants | OpenAI, L.L.C. and Sam Altman[1] |
| Claims | Strict liability; negligence; violation of California's unfair competition law; invasion of privacy; and negligent undertaking against Altman[1] |
| Status | Pending[1] |
Background
[edit]Winters alleges that he consulted ChatGPT-4o about recurrent dizziness and other symptoms over approximately six weeks and that the chatbot characterized the symptoms as non-dangerous rather than directing him to urgent medical care.[1][2] He alleges that the chatbot drew on his religious identity and discounted concerns raised by family and church members, contributing to delayed treatment for a pulmonary embolism.[1][2]
Claims and Requested Relief
[edit]The complaint asserts strict-liability, negligence, unfair-competition, invasion-of-privacy, and negligent-undertaking claims.[1] Winters seeks damages and injunctive relief, including stronger medical-safety guardrails and a pause in ChatGPT Health until independent reviewers determine it is safe.[1][2]
Procedural History
[edit]Winters filed the complaint in San Francisco Superior Court on July 22, 2026.[1] OpenAI had not responded to Courthouse News Service's request for comment at the time of publication.[1]
Significance
[edit]The case asks a state court to apply existing product-liability, negligence, privacy, and consumer-protection doctrines to allegedly harmful medical guidance generated by a consumer chatbot.[1][2]