Celebrities
Gwyneth Paltrow found not at fault in ski crash trial
The eight-person jury reached a verdict on Thursday, with Gwyneth Paltrow found not at fault.
Gwyneth Paltrow has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the civil trial over a skiing accident in Utah in 2016, and was awarded the $1 requested in her countersuit.
The actress was accused of causing a 2016 ski accident that left a Utah man, Terry Sanderson, with broken ribs, a concussion and a traumatic brain injury.
The retired optometrist alleged that Paltrow ran into him from behind on February 26, 2016 while skiing at Utah’s Deer Valley Resort.
The trial began on March 21
Sanderson was seeking $300,000 from Paltrow, alleging that the incident negatively impacted his life.
“I got hit in my back so hard, right at my shoulder blades and it felt like it was perfectly centered,” Sanderson told the court. “And the fists and the poles were right there at my shoulder blades ... never been hit that hard. And I’m flying, I’m absolutely flying.”
Paltrow denied that she ran into Sanderson, with her attorneys accusing him of exploiting the actress’ wealth and fame. She testified that she was on the slope with her family when Sanderson’s skis came between hers and they fell.
“Mr. Sanderson categorically hit me on the ski slope, and that is the truth,” said Paltrow.
Her attorneys also argued that Sanderson’s health issues began before the incident. Paltrow was seeking $1 in damages and reimbursement of attorney’s fees.
Along with Paltrow and Sanderson, jurors also heard from several expert witnesses, Sanderson’s daughters and testimony from resort employees. The jury were also read testimony from Paltrow’s two children, Apple and Moses Martin.
Closing arguments
During closing arguments, Sanderson’s attorney, Robert Sykes, rejected claims that he was seeking fame and attention.
“Part of him will always be on that mountain,” he said. “We hope that you will help bring Terry home off that mountain with a fair verdict for today.”
Paltrow’s attorney, Steve Owens, stated the issue was one of right and wrong, and that it would be wrong for Paltrow “to write a check and be done with it.”
“It’s actually wrong that he hurt her, and he wants money from her,” he told the jury.
He later added: “He’s entitled to be here today, but he’s not entitled to be rewarded for hurting her.”