Gwyneth Paltrow Faces Legal Battle Over Ski Collision: Retired Optometrist Sues for $300,000 in Damages
Gwyneth Paltrow is currently embroiled in a legal battle with retired optometrist Terry Sanderson, who is suing the actress for $300,000 in damages over a 2016 ski collision in Utah. Sanderson claims that Paltrow crashed into him on the slopes, causing lasting injuries that have impacted his quality of life.[0] Paltrow, on the other hand, claims that Sanderson crashed into her and is extorting her for her wealth and fame. She is countersuing for $1 and legal fees.[0] Paltrow's children, Apple and Moses, were scheduled to testify in person but their statements were read by defense attorneys due to scheduling conflicts.[1]
Sanderson first filed a lawsuit against Paltrow in January 2019, claiming that her reckless skiing sent him “absolutely flying” and left him with permanent brain damage, four broken ribs, and other serious injuries.[2] Paltrow's lawyers claim that Sanderson ran into her and that his health problems were not a result of the accident.[3] Paltrow testified that Sanderson actually ran into her from behind, admitting that for a “split second” she thought it was a “practical joke” or possibly a sexual assault.[4]
During the trial, Paltrow heard testimony from expert witnesses and played a video animation of how she alleges the collision happened. Her son, Moses, recalled hearing his mother yelling at the other skier after the collision, while Apple said that Paltrow was in shock and decided not to ski for the rest of the day.[1] Paltrow apologised for her “bad language” after the incident and claimed that she stood nearby as her family's ski instructors promised to file an incident report.[4] Sanderson previously testified that he heard a “blood-curdling scream” before the collision and compared Paltrow to “King Kong in the jungle or something.”[5]
Paltrow is countersuing Sanderson for a symbolic $1 and legal fees, sparking comparisons to a 2017 sexual assault case involving Taylor Swift, who also sought $1 in damages.[6] The trial is ongoing and the jury will ultimately decide who is at fault for the collision and whether damages should be awarded to Sanderson.[7]
0. “Gwyneth Paltrow's Kids Apple, Moses Have Depositions Read Aloud in Court: Mom ‘Was in a State of Shock'” PEOPLE, 28 Mar. 2023, https://people.com/movies/gwyneth-paltrow-daughter-apple-testifies-ski-crash-trial/
1. “Gwyneth Paltrow's 2 Kids Describe Mom ‘Shaken Up' In Ski Trial Testimony” TODAY, 29 Mar. 2023, https://www.today.com/popculture/news/gwyneth-paltrow-kids-testimony-ski-collision-apple-moses-rcna77148
2. “Gwyneth Paltrow ski collision: Instructor says actor isn't reckless” Insider, 28 Mar. 2023, https://www.insider.com/gwyneth-paltrow-ski-collision-instructor-says-actress-isnt-reckless-2023-3
3. “Gwyneth Paltrow trial testimony: I should be in jail for how much I'm enjoying this.” Slate, 26 Mar. 2023, https://slate.com/human-interest/2023/03/gwyneth-paltrow-trial-testimony-i-should-be-in-jail-for-how-much-im-enjoying-this.html
4. “What’s Going on With Gwyneth Paltrow’s Ski-and-Run Trial?” Vogue, 28 Mar. 2023, https://www.vogue.com/article/gwyneth-paltrow-ski-and-run-trial-explainer
5. “Plaintiff in Gwyneth Paltrow ski crash blames actress for three ‘near-death experiences' post-collision” Fox News, 29 Mar. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/plaintiff-gwyneth-paltrow-ski-crash-blames-actress-three-near-death-experiences-post-collision
6. “After Johnny Depp-Amber Heard, Gwyneth Paltrow's Big Courtroom Drama” NDTV.com, 28 Mar. 2023, https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/gwyneth-paltrow-trial-ski-accident-1-lawsuit-taylor-swift-gwyneth-paltrows-trial-in-10-points-3894666
7. “Gwyneth Paltrow Ski Trial: Skier Code Explained, Who Was Uphill?” Town & Country, 29 Mar. 2023, https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/sporting/a43453510/gwyneth-paltrow-trial-ski-slope-etiquette-uphill/
