Gwyneth Paltrow wins high-profile civil court case against man who claimed she crashed into him while skiing
The Oscar-winning actress was awarded $1 in damages after a jury found retired optometrist Terry Sanderson was "100%" at fault for the accident.
Friday 31 March 2023 09:21, UK
Gwyneth Paltrow has won a high-profile civil court case against a man who claimed she crashed into him while skiing.
She was awarded $1 in damages after the jury found retired optometrist Terry Sanderson was "100%" at fault for the skiing accident.
The jurors deliberated for two hours on Thursday after hearing eight days of evidence.
Paltrow, dressed in a navy blazer jacket, striped white shirt and brown trousers, did not react when the verdict was announced.
In a statement released after the verdict, she said she was "pleased" with the outcome.
"I felt that acquiescing to a false claim compromised my integrity," she said.
"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."
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Mr Sanderson, 76, sued the Hollywood actress for $300,000 (£242,000), saying the 2016 collision on the slopes of Utah left him with several broken ribs and severe brain injuries.
Paltrow, who is also a lifestyle influencer, denied the claims, alleging Mr Sanderson crashed into her at the Deer Valley resort, and caused her to lose "half a day of skiing".
She counter-sued him for the awarded amount of $1 and her legal fees.
As she exited the courtroom she touched Mr Sanderson on the shoulder and whispered something to him.
Mr Sanderson told reporters outside court following the verdict the actress had said "I wish you well", adding that it had been "very kind".
"I said 'thank you dear'," he said.
He said the verdict had been "very disappointing" and continued: "You get some assumed credibility in being a famous person.
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"Who wants to take on a celebrity? Someone who learns lines and how to play someone else's part."
During the court case in Park City, jurors heard evidence from a variety of medical experts, ski instructors, and members of both Mr Sanderson and Paltrow's family, including the actress' children Apple and Moses Martin.
Mr Sanderson said he had become a "self-imposed recluse" after the incident and had been advised never to ski again in case of further injury.
But Paltrow's lawyers showed photos of him enjoying multiple holidays after the accident.
Oscar-winning actress Paltrow, 50, said she felt "very sorry" for Mr Sanderson but reiterated that she was not "at fault" for the crash.
Paltrow's defence had dug out social media posts showing him travelling around the world in the years after the accident, despite him saying he was a different and damaged man because of the crash.
During closing arguments on Thursday the court heard that Paltrow faced a "ransom" for a "meritless claim" and that she had shown "courage" by attending court for the two-week trial.
In their closing arguments, Mr Sanderson's lawyers had said Paltrow was "not a liar" but had been mistaken about what had happened.