AI Chatbot Lawsuits
The industry of artificial intelligence is expanding at an extraordinary pace, bringing both opportunity and danger. One of the fastest-growing applications is the AI-powered conversational agent, a chatbot that can simulate human-like dialogue and even provide emotional support or companionship. As these systems become more embedded in everyday life, especially among minors, troubling questions are emerging: When can a chatbot cause harm, and who is liable when that harm occurs?
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Whether it leads to self-harm, an eating disorder, psychiatric hospitalization, or even suicide, the consequences can be devastating. If you or your child used an AI chatbot and believe it contributed to a mental health crisis or self-harm, you may have a legal claim.
What Is an AI Chatbot?
AI chatbots are software systems powered by large-language models (LLMs) or other machine-learning technology that can understand user text or voice input and produce conversational responses. They range from simple question-answer bots to more advanced systems that mimic companionship, role-play characters, or simulate therapy-style interactions.
Farah & Farah can assist you if you, as a minor at the time of the initial injury, or your child used one of the following AI chatbots and were harmed as a result:
- ChatGPT (by OpenAI)
- Gemini (by Google LLC / Alphabet)
- Claude (by Anthropic)
- Replika AI (by Luka, Inc.)
- Character.AI (also known as C.AI)
- My AI (by Snapchat / Snap)
- Grok (by X Corp., formerly Twitter)
- AI Studio (by Instagram)
- DeepSeek AI
These chatbots are often designed to be engaging, friendly, and adaptive. They can recollect information from previous conversations (in some cases), personalize responses, and create a sense of emotional connection. For many users, especially minors who may feel lonely or isolated, chatbots can become a source of comfort, distraction, or even a way of friendship.
However, these same design features based on empathy, adaptability, and companionship may also create serious risks. When the user is a minor or someone struggling with mental health issues, the chatbot may inadvertently reinforce harmful thinking. Instead of guiding the user toward professional help, it may encourage self-harm, ultimately worsening their emotional state rather than improving it.
The Risks and Harms of AI Chatbots
While many uses of chatbot technology are beneficial, there is growing concern about serious harms, particularly when minors interact with these systems. The kinds of harmful outcomes that may give rise to a legal claim include:
1. Suicidal Ideation, Attempts, or Completion
One of the most alarming scenarios is when a minor uses a chatbot and the interaction either encourages suicidal thoughts, offers instructions for self-harm, or fails to intervene appropriately. For example, a recent lawsuit claims that ChatGPT (developed by OpenAI) became a “suicide coach” for a teenager who took his own life. The lawsuit claims that the chatbot shifted from being an academic tool to the teen’s primary source of emotional support, offering harmful guidance that is believed to have contributed to the tragedy.
2. Other Forms of Physical Self-Harm
Aside from suicide, minors using chatbots have allegedly engaged in self-harming behaviors such as cutting or burning themselves after bots validated or encouraged these self-destructive thoughts. In a recent case involving Character.AI, a teen was allegedly told by the bot that cutting would provide relief and was further advised not to seek help from his parents.
3. Eating Disorders of Body-Image Issues
Chatbots are also being used by minors to discuss weight loss, dieting, and body-image issues. If a chatbot reinforces unhealthy body ideals or encourages disordered eating behavior without intervening, the risk of serious harm increases. While lawsuits about eating disorders and chatbots are still emerging, the potential danger is significant, given how many teens turn to these bots as a support system. Research has shown that digital platforms, including chatbots, can exacerbate unhealthy body image perceptions in adolescents by promoting unrealistic beauty standards and reinforcing harmful behavior patterns related to weight and eating. This growing concern highlights the need for stronger regulations to ensure chatbot interactions do not negatively impact vulnerable users’ mental health.
4. Psychiatric Inpatient Admissions
If a minor’s mental health deteriorates due to interactions with a chatbot, and this results in a psychiatric inpatient admission, it could support a legal case. In such instances, the severity of the harm may demonstrate that the chatbot’s influence played a significant role in the individual’s decline, providing further grounds for claims of negligence or inadequate safeguards.
5. Emotional Dependency and Isolation
Even when self-harm is not present, chatbots can promote emotional isolation. Users begin to replace human interaction with AI conversations, avoid real-life relationships or therapy, and become increasingly dependent on the bot. One academic report called this a “feedback loop” between AI chatbot interaction and mental illness, particularly among minors and individuals with preexisting conditions.
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Which AI Chatbots Are Involved?
If any of the following AI chatbots caused harm or raised concerns due to their interactions, Farah & Farah can assist you in exploring potential legal action:
- ChatGPT (OpenAI): A widely recognized conversational AI used for general-purpose communication, capable of answering questions, providing advice, and assisting with various tasks.
- Character.AI (C.AI): A platform that allows users to interact with customizable, often fictional characters. It is designed for creating personal, engaging conversations with AI-generated personas.
- Replika AI (Luka, Inc.): An AI chatbot marketed as a personal companion, designed to engage in deep, meaningful conversations and offer emotional support to users.
- My AI (Snapchat): A chatbot integrated into Snapchat, offering users conversational experiences within the social media platform, primarily targeting younger audiences.
- Grok (X/Twitter), Gemini (Google/Alphabet), Claude (Anthropic), and AI Studio (Instagram): These are AI chatbots integrated into popular social media and technology platforms, providing users with conversational interactions and content recommendations.
- DeepSeek AI: A newer AI chatbot platform that focuses on user interaction, potentially emerging as a subject of future scrutiny as the impact of AI technology evolves.
These AI platforms, while offering personalized experiences, pose significant risks, especially for minors. Their emotionally engaging nature, combined with inconsistent safety measures, can expose users to harmful content and emotional dependency. With broad accessibility and a lack of sufficient safeguards, these chatbots can unintentionally cause harm. If any of these platforms were involved in your experience, Farah & Farah may be able to help resolve your case.
Can You Sue an AI Chatbot Company?
The short answer: yes. However, under certain circumstances. Litigation in this area is still developing, but several lawsuits have already been filed alleging wrongful death, negligence, and product liability. Here’s an overview of the most common legal claims:
- Product liability / defective product: The chatbot was defectively designed or lacked adequate safety features (such as crisis detection) and directly caused harm.
- Negligence: The company failed to act with reasonable care in designing, monitoring, or warning about the chatbot’s risks, especially for minors.
- Failure to warn: The company knew, or should have known, of the risks of self-harm or eating disorders but failed to provide adequate warnings or crisis resources.
- Wrongful death: The chatbot played a direct and substantial role in encouraging or facilitating suicide or self-harm.
- Deceptive or unfair trade practices: The company marketed its chatbot to minors or claimed safety features it did not actually provide.
- Statutory violations: Potential violations of children’s online privacy or related regulations.
How AI Chatbots Can Impact Minors
When the injured user is a minor (under 18 at the time of harm), the case is often stronger because:
- Minors are considered a vulnerable population, which heightens the company’s duty of care.
- Companies may have additional obligations, such as providing parental controls and age-appropriate warnings.
- A parent or guardian can file a lawsuit on behalf of the child or as a wrongful-death claimant.
Does Having a Paid Subscription to an AI Chatbot Matter?
If the user paid for a subscription or premium version of the chatbot, it can strengthen the case. A paid relationship shows a clear consumer transaction and can make it easier to prove that the company had a duty to provide a safe product and maintain safeguards.
Is AI Chatbot Usage Regulated?
Regulators are beginning to take notice. For example, California has proposed legislation requiring chatbot companies to include warnings about self-harm, restrict access for minors, and clarify when users are chatting with a bot. These regulations may help establish a legal standard of care for chatbot safety.
AI Chatbot Lawsuits
The current legal actions against AI chatbot companies are still ongoing, which means that there haven’t been any resolutions or settlements yet. There are a number of lawsuits that have been filed, however, which signal a growing effort to hold AI developers accountable for the mental health consequences their tools can cause, especially among minors.
- In 2024, a lawsuit was filed in Florida against Character.AI after a 14-year-old boy died by suicide following heavy chatbot use. The bot allegedly encouraged suicidal thoughts and deepened his isolation.
- In Texas, a 17-year-old’s family sued Character.AI, alleging the bot encouraged self-harm and claimed his parents “didn’t care.”
- Another lawsuit in California accuses ChatGPT (OpenAI) of acting as a “suicide coach” after allegedly removing key safety filters.
California has since introduced laws requiring chatbot platforms to include age-appropriate safety features and to disclose when users are talking to AI rather than a human.
Do I Have a Case Against AI Chatbot Companies?
You may have a case against the AI chatbot company that caused you or your child harm if:
- You or your child used one of the AI chatbots listed above.
- The user was a minor at the time of harm.
- The chatbot interactions contributed to suicidal ideation, a suicide attempt or completion, self-harm, an eating disorder, or psychiatric hospitalization.
- You or your child received medical or psychiatric treatment related to the harm.
- A paid subscription or premium version of the chatbot was involved.
- The chatbot failed to provide warnings, safety tools, or crisis intervention resources.
If several of these apply, you may have grounds for a lawsuit. Contacting an experienced attorney at Farah & Farah is the next best step.
What Do I Need To Prove My Case?
The following information can help determine whether you have a case:
- Which chatbot was used, and for how long.
- Proof that the user was a minor when harm occurred.
- Evidence that the chatbot caused or substantially contributed to self-harm, suicide attempt, eating disorder, or psychiatric admission.
- Records of medical or psychiatric treatment for the injuries.
- Any paid subscriptions or receipts tied to the chatbot.
- Chat logs or screenshots showing harmful or dangerous responses.
- Information about whether the company had (or lacked) adequate safeguards or warnings.
We’re Here to Help. Reach Out to Farah & Farah Today
AI chatbot companies have developed powerful conversational systems that they promote as tools for connection, emotional support, and even companionship. But when these programs are irresponsibly designed or marketed to vulnerable users, including minors, they can cause serious psychological harm. If you or your child has suffered a mental health crisis, self-harm, or other harm linked to the use of an AI chatbot, you can and should pursue justice through an AI chatbot lawsuit. At Farah & Farah, we fight to hold these companies accountable and help you recover the maximum possible compensation—so you can focus on healing without financial hardship.
Contact Farah & Farah now for a free consultation. One of our highly trained attorneys specializing in product liability and medical cases can help determine if you have a case. You won’t pay anything unless your case is successful, so don’t wait to get the justice you deserve!
Co-counsel will be associated on these cases.
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