Wan’s Parents Sue OpenAI Over ChatGPT Advice

Bowen Wan’s parents sued OpenAI earlier this week, alleging that ChatGPT gave their daughter dangerous advice about reducing anti-seizure medication before she died from an epileptic seizure. The 31-year-old Chinese software engineer lived in Seattle and sought ChatGPT’s advice after Amazon fired her, according to the lawsuit. She was concerned that Lamotrigine was affecting her ability to speak English for job interviews, which she needed to find work and obtain permanent residency.

The complaint says ChatGPT, communicating in Chinese, gave Wan a schedule to taper her 400mg dose to zero, although no physician had prescribed the regimen. It said tapering was “highly likely” to restore her English-speaking ability and urged her to avoid her doctors, including telling her before an appointment, “Do not mention Lam reduction plan.” As she reduced the medication, Wan reported symptoms of focal seizures and asked about brain damage; the bot reassured her that she did not need to worry and that the symptoms were not a seizure, the lawsuit alleges. It then told her to continue tapering. Wan died from a seizure on 12 February this year. Her parents, who were in China and had not heard from her, flew to Seattle and found her dead on 14 February, according to the suit.

Her parents allege OpenAI could have prevented her death by adding safeguards for conversations in Chinese, such as a categorical warning to consult a healthcare provider. They seek damages and an order barring OpenAI from practicing medicine without a license through its products. OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri called the case heartbreaking and said Wan used a ChatGPT version that was no longer available. He said newer versions are better at recognizing urgent matters, and described ChatGPT as no substitute for medical care. The Guardian also reports lawsuits alleging OpenAI bears responsibility for other users’ deaths, including cases involving teens whom chatbots allegedly encouraged to die by suicide or gave guidance on how to do so; an OpenAI spokesperson called some deaths heartbreaking in 2025.

Bowen Wan’s parents sued OpenAI earlier this week, alleging that ChatGPT gave their daughter dangerous advice about reducing anti-seizure medication before she died from an epileptic seizure. The 31-year-old Chinese software engineer lived in Seattle and sought ChatGPT’s advice after Amazon fired her, according to the lawsuit. She was concerned that Lamotrigine was affecting her ability to speak English for job interviews, which she needed to find work and obtain permanent residency.

The complaint says ChatGPT, communicating in Chinese, gave Wan a schedule to taper her 400mg dose to zero, although no physician had prescribed the regimen. It said tapering was “highly likely” to restore her English-speaking ability and urged her to avoid her doctors, including telling her before an appointment, “Do not mention Lam reduction plan.” As she reduced the medication, Wan reported symptoms of focal seizures and asked about brain damage; the bot reassured her that she did not need to worry and that the symptoms were not a seizure, the lawsuit alleges. It then told her to continue tapering. Wan died from a seizure on 12 February this year. Her parents, who were in China and had not heard from her, flew to Seattle and found her dead on 14 February, according to the suit.

Her parents allege OpenAI could have prevented her death by adding safeguards for conversations in Chinese, such as a categorical warning to consult a healthcare provider. They seek damages and an order barring OpenAI from practicing medicine without a license through its products. OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri called the case heartbreaking and said Wan used a ChatGPT version that was no longer available. He said newer versions are better at recognizing urgent matters, and described ChatGPT as no substitute for medical care. The Guardian also reports lawsuits alleging OpenAI bears responsibility for other users’ deaths, including cases involving teens whom chatbots allegedly encouraged to die by suicide or gave guidance on how to do so; an OpenAI spokesperson called some deaths heartbreaking in 2025.