Gwyneth Paltrow Reflects on Recent Ski Accident Trial Victory
Gwyneth Paltrow recently spoke candidly about her experience in a recent civil trial, shedding light on the legal battle that unfolded over a ski collision that occurred seven years ago. The renowned actress, now 50, found herself in court earlier this year, facing a lawsuit from retired optometrist Terry Sanderson. Sanderson had initially filed a lawsuit against Paltrow in January 2019, stemming from a February 2016 incident in which the two collided while skiing on a beginner-level slope at Utah’s Deer Valley Resort.
In a recent interview with The New York Times, Paltrow shared her thoughts on the unusual court case, which ultimately resulted in her favor, awarding her $1 in damages along with legal fees. Paltrow described the experience as “pretty weird” and admitted, “I don’t know that I’ve even processed it. It was something I felt like I survived. Sometimes in my life, it takes me a long time to look back and process something and understand something.”
Sanderson’s 2019 lawsuit alleged that Paltrow collided with him from behind while she was skiing with an instructor. Additionally, Sanderson claimed that the ski instructor filed a false report, asserting that Paltrow was not responsible for the accident. Paltrow’s representative swiftly dismissed the lawsuit, stating, “This lawsuit is completely without merit. Anyone who reads the facts will realize that.”
In response, Paltrow filed a countersuit in the following month, asserting that Sanderson was the one who struck her from behind and accused him of attempting to exploit her celebrity and wealth.
Initially, Sanderson sought $3.1 million in damages in his 2019 lawsuit, but a judge later ruled that he could only sue for $300,000. Meanwhile, Paltrow countered with a symbolic $1 in damages, in addition to attorney fees.
During the two-week trial, the jury was tasked with determining the events leading up to and following the February 26, 2016 incident, as well as identifying the responsible party—the downhill skier or the one who crashed into the other. After deliberating for less than three hours, the jury in Park City, Utah, found Paltrow not at fault and held Sanderson 100 percent responsible.
Following the trial, Paltrow released a statement expressing her satisfaction with the outcome, saying, “I felt that acquiescing to a false claim compromised my integrity. I am pleased with the outcome and I appreciate all of the hard work of Judge Holmberg and the jury, and thank them for their thoughtfulness in handling this case.”
Sanderson’s attorney, C. Peter Sorensen, responded to the verdict in a statement, saying, “We are disappointed in the outcome, but we love and support the legal process. We thank Judge Holmberg, the jury and staff for all their efforts. We will spend the next while evaluating and discussing where we go from here.”
Gwyneth Paltrow Says Her Ski Accident Trial Was ‘Weird’: ‘I Don’t Know That I’ve Even Processed It’ https://t.co/CnNnuyaXbT
— People (@people) October 1, 2023