Gwyneth Paltrow. Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock
Gwyneth Paltrow was discovered not liable in her snowboarding accident trial, incomes $1 in damages.
The jury reached a verdict on Thursday, March 30, and located that Terry Sanderson was 100% at fault for his collision with Paltrow, 50, on the slopes of Deer Valley, Utah, again in 2016.
“I felt that acquiescing to a false declare compromised my integrity,” the Shallow Hal actress stated in an announcement following her victory. “I’m happy with the result and I admire the entire laborious work of Decide Holmberg and the jury, and thank them for his or her thoughtfulness in dealing with this case.”
As Paltrow exited the courtroom, she turned to Sanderson, 76, and stated, “I want you properly.”
Paltrow’s lawyer, Steve Owens, was additionally happy with the result of the choice and praised his consumer. “Gwyneth has a historical past of advocating for what she believes in – this example was no completely different and she is going to proceed to face up for what is true,” Owens stated in an announcement.
The now-retired physician initially sued the Goop founder in January 2019 — three years after the incident occurred — and claimed that Paltrow severely injured him when the 2 crashed into each other whereas snowboarding in Deer Valley, Utah. Sanderson initially sought out $3.1 million in damages however later lowered the quantity to $300,000.
Whereas Sanderson claimed the Shakespeare in Love actress left the scene after the accident, Paltrow refuted the allegations. She advised the court docket that she and her ski teacher “remained on [the] scene” and “rendered assist” to Sanderson and solely left after they felt the physician was not critically injured.
The trial started on the Park Metropolis District Court docket on March 21 and proceeded for eight days. Sanderson and Paltrow every took the stand alongside a collection of witnesses and medical professionals.
Whereas on the stand, Paltrow maintained her innocence whereas detailing her perspective on the incident. Throughout her testimony, she claimed she initially thought the collision was a possible sexual assault as a result of intenseness of the crash.
“I used to be snowboarding and two skis got here between my skis forcing my legs aside after which there was a physique urgent in opposition to me and there was a really unusual grunting noise so my mind was making an attempt to make sense of what was occurring.” she recalled. “ I assumed, ‘Is that this a sensible joke? Is somebody doing one thing perverted? That is actually, actually unusual.’ My thoughts was going in a short time and I used to be making an attempt to determine what was occurring.”
Sanderson, for his half, took the stand after the actress to recount his model of the occasion. Whereas testifying, he reenacted the Glee alum’s “blood curdling scream” from the accident.
“After which increase! It was like someone was uncontrolled and was going to hit a tree and was going to die,” Sanderson stated after he imitated a low-pitch scream. “And that’s what I had till I used to be hit.”
Paltrow seemingly laughed and shook her head because the optometrist made his claims.
The jury additionally heard testimony from Paltrow’s kids: Apple, 18, and Moses, 16, whom she shares with ex Chris Martin. Their depositions have been learn by their mom’s lawyer. The youngsters couldn’t seem on the trial in particular person attributable to time restraints.
Per court docket paperwork obtained by Us Weekly in January 2019, Sanderson’s authorized crew claimed that the Oscar winner “skied uncontrolled and hit the again of Terry Sanderson, one other skier, who was downhill, knocking him down laborious, knocking him out, and inflicting a mind damage, 4 damaged ribs and different severe accidents. Paltrow acquired up, turned and skied away, leaving Sanderson shocked, mendacity within the snow, critically injured.”
Paltrow refuted the allegations and responded in an announcement to Us on the time stating, “This lawsuit is totally with out benefit and we count on to be vindicated.”
One month later, the Iron Man actress determined to countersue the previous optometrist in February 2019. The Marvel star sought out a jury trial and sued Sanderson for a symbolic $1 in damages plus reimbursement for her authorized charges “to defend this meritless declare.” Furthermore, her authorized protection claimed that she was the one who was struck by Sanderson.
Join Us Weekly’s free, day by day publication and by no means miss breaking information or unique tales about your favourite celebrities, TV reveals and extra!
“[Paltrow] was having fun with snowboarding together with her household on trip in Utah, when Plaintiff — who was uphill from Ms. Paltrow — plowed into her again,” In response to paperwork obtained by Us. “She sustained a full ‘physique blow.’ Ms. Paltrow was offended with Plaintiff, and stated so. Plaintiff apologized. She was shaken and upset, and give up snowboarding for the day despite the fact that it was nonetheless morning.”
