Gwyneth Paltrow Will Win $1 In Her Ski Trial Case
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If you've been on the Internet at all in the last week, you've probably heard something about Gwyneth Paltrow's ski trial. ICYMI, Gwyneth's seven year legal battle was finally settled in court this week. Back in 2016, the Goop founder was involved in a skiing accident at Deer Valley Resort in Utah, which led to her being sued for $300,000, per NBC News.
A retired optometrist named Terry Sanderson initially sued Paltrow in 2016, claiming she plowed into him on a beginner slope and caused lingering injuries as a result. The Oscar-winning actress, who was the defendant in the case, said he was the one who actually ran into her. The suit went to trial, and Paltrow even took the stand to testify. Her husband, Brad Falchuck, along with her children Apple Martin and Moses Martin also testified.
It's pretty unusual for a celebrity to go to trial over something like a ski accident, and Gywneth, plus the nature of the case, certainly made it a spectacle. Here’s everything to know, from the testimonies to the verdict.
Wait, why was Gwyneth on trial?
Paltrow, 50, was on trial for allegedly crashing into Sanderson, now 76, on a beginner ski slope in 2016. Sanderson initially sued Paltrow for $3.1 million, claiming the accident with Paltrow left him dealing with four broken ribs, a concussion, and brain damage, NBC News reported. He later amended his claim for damages to $300,000. Sanderson also claimed Paltrow and her ski instructor skied away without getting him medical care.
Paltrow insisted that she did not run into Sanderson, and countersued the retired optometrist for $1 in 2019, similar to Taylor Swift's counter action in her sexual assault trial in 2017 (Gwyneth denied being "friends" with Taylor Swift, but reported they are "friendly" in court proceedings.)
What actually happened during the ski crash?
Naturally, the trial turned into a "he-said, she-said" situation.
Sanderson said Paltrow ran into him, and had a witness, Craig Ramon, testify for him. Ramon claimed to have seen Gwyneth run into Sanderson from behind, and that Sanderson was "unconscious and facedown in the snow," per NBC News. He also reported that Paltrow left after about four minutes, and didn't identify herself or wait to see if Sanderson was alright.
“I just remember everything was great and then I heard something I’ve never heard at a ski resort and that was a blood curdling scream … and then boom! It was like somebody was out of control and going to hit a tree and was going to die. And that’s what I had until I was hit," Sanderson said during his testimony, per CNN.
On the other hand, Paltrow's suit said the actress “was enjoying skiing with her family on vacation in Utah, when Plaintiff—who was uphill from Ms. Paltrow—plowed into her back. She sustained a full ‘body blow,’” the suit reads, per CNN. “Ms. Paltrow was angry with Plaintiff, and said so. Plaintiff apologized. She was shaken and upset, and quit skiing for the day even though it was still morning.”
Paltrow also reported that she did wait to see that Sanderson was okay before leaving the scene, and had her instructor handle the incident on her behalf. The instructor filed a report that day, which said a male skier hit Paltrow, per NBC News.
Gwyneth's children also testified that despite not witnessing the collision, Paltrow was "visibly shaken" for the rest of the day. Apple Martin, now 18 but 12 at the time, recalled her mother being in a "state of shock" on that day.
Who is Terry Sanderson?
Sanderson is a retired optometrist who was skiing at Deer Valley on a beginner slope when a crash with Paltrow reportedly occurred.
Sanderson spent his professional career in a private practice in Soda Springs, Idaho, and says he has been skiing for three decades, per The Independent.
What else did Paltrow say during her testimony?
Gwyneth testified on Friday, March 24. During her testimony, Gwyneth said she originally thought the accident was a “sexual assault” or “practical joke,” CBS News reports. According to Gwyneth, two skis slid between her legs and her skis, and she felt a body "press against my back" before the two fell to the ground. “He was groaning and grunting in a disturbing way,” she said.
Gwyneth said she pushed Sanderson away and yelled at him. “I was very angry at what had happened," she said. Gwyneth also said she didn't know Sanderson was injured and didn't ask how he was because she thought the accident was minor.
Where did the trial take place?
The trial took place in Park City, Utah, according to WBAL.
The jury sided with Gwyneth.
After a nine-day trial, the jury ultimately took Gwyneth's side in the verdict. Paltrow will be awarded $1 in damages on top of her legal fees, the amount for which she countersued Sanderson.
The jury reportedly deliberated for two and a half hours before ultimately siding with Paltrow, per Vulture.
"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,” Gwyneth said in a statement following the verdict, per NBC News.
As Gwyneth walked out of the courtroom, she leaned down to whisper something to Sanderson. He later confirmed to the Associated Press that it was a civil exchange, and the actor had said "I wish you well."
This trial was one of the biggest public court spectacles since Johnny Depp's case against Amber Heard, but Gwyneth maintained that taking the case to court was necessary in a statement.
"I felt that acquiescing to a false claim compromised my integrity," she said in a statement, per AP.
She may have some questionable wellness hacks, but Gwyneth certainly knows how to handle a court case.
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