A trial pitting the Oscar-winning actor Gwyneth Paltrow against a retired optometrist who accuses her of violently crashing into him in a 2016 ski accident began yesterday in Utah with her lawyer calling the accusation “utter BS”.
The dispute stems from a crash more than seven years ago between Paltrow and Terry Sanderson, 76, at an upscale ski resort. Attorneys for Sanderson argue that Paltrow’s negligence caused the collision and left him severely injured.
Gwyneth Paltrow's lawyer called the story of a retired optometrist who is suing her over a 2016 ski collision "utter B.S.".
Terry Sanderson claims that the actor-turned-lifestyle influencer was cruising down the slopes so recklessly that they violently collided, leaving him on the ground as she and her entourage continued their descent down Deer Valley Resort, a skiers-only mountain known for its groomed runs, après-ski champagne yurts and posh clientele.
"Gwyneth Paltrow skied out of control," Sanderson's attorneys claim in the lawsuit, "knocking him down hard, knocking him out, and causing a brain injury, four broken ribs and other serious injuries. Paltrow got up, turned and skied away, leaving Sanderson stunned, lying in the snow, seriously injured."
In a case that has lasted years, Sanderson is suing Paltrow for $300,000 — claiming that the accident in Park City was a result of negligence, and left him with physical injuries and emotional distress.
Sanderson and Paltrow both appeared on Tuesday at the Park City courthouse to begin the trial, which is slated to last longer than a week. A somber-looking Paltrow, wearing a beige knit sweater, tweed harem pants and aviator-style reading glasses, shielded her face from reporters and photographers with a blue "GP"-initialed notebook when she entered and exited the courtroom.
Park City is a resort town in the Rocky Mountains that hosts the Sundance Film Festival, which draws a throng of celebrities each year.
On ski slopes, Utah law gives the skier who is downhill the right of way, so a central question in the case is who was further down the beginner's run when the collision transpired. Both Paltrow and Sanderson claim in court filings that they were farther downhill when the other rammed into them, causing their skis to intertwine and the two to tumble.
"All skiers know that when they're skiing down the mountain, it's their responsibility to yield the right of way to skiers below them," Sanderson's attorney, Lawrence Buhler, told jurors, who — unlike those selected for most trials — walked into the courtroom smiling, likely because of their proximity to a major celebrity.
In opening arguments, both sides presented their clients as conservative skiers who were stunned when a skier above them crashed into them. Both characterized the other's version of events as implausible.
Buhler described Paltrow as wealthy, while highlighting Sanderson's military service and how he sought medical care at the V.A. hospital after the collision.
"She hires multiple ski instructors for her children, which allows them to skip the lines. Private instructors cost thousands of dollars per day," he said.
Paltrow's attorneys told jurors Tuesday that Sanderson was the one who crashed into her — a collision in which she sustained what they called a "full body blow." Attorney Steve Owens noted that members of Paltrow's group checked on Sanderson, who assured them he was fine — an interaction Sanderson doesn't deny but said in court filings that he can't remember.
While showing images on a projector of Paltrow on a chairlift with her son, Paltrow's attorney cautioned jurors not to let sympathy for Sanderson's medical ailments skew their judgments. He questioned the 76-year-old's credibility, noting his age and documented, pre-collision brain injuries. He said that the Utah man had confirmed he was fine after the crash. Owens also said that Sanderson posted a "very happy, smiling picture" of himself online, being tobogganed down post-crash.
"His memories of the case get better over the years. That's all I'm gonna say. That's not how memory works," Owens said.
After his initial lawsuit seeking $3.1 million was dropped, Sanderson amended the complaint and he is now seeking $300,000. Paltrow — the Oscar-winning actor known for her roles in "Shakespeare in Love" and Marvel's "Iron Man" movies — filed a counterclaim, seeking attorney fees and $1 in damages.
Paltrow has alleged that Sanderson was actually the culprit in the collision, is overstating his injuries, and is trying to exploit her celebrity and wealth. In addition to her acting career, she is also the founder and CEO of high-end wellness company goop.
"He demanded Ms. Paltrow pay him millions. If she did not pay, she would face negative publicity resulting from his allegations," her attorneys wrote in a 2019 court filing.
“It’s the uphill skiers’ responsibility to yield the right of way to the people below … especially on a beginner run,” said Robert Sykes, an attorney. “They know skiers may be less experienced and that skiers below them trust that the ones coming behind are paying attention.”
The trial began in the courtroom of the Park City judge Kent R Holmberg. A jury of six women and four men were sworn in.
Paltrow arrived with a bodyguard, the New York Post reported.
Holmberg told attendees the bailiff had removed one person taking pictures without approval. Those photos were deleted. The judge also reminded reporters they were not allowed to move from assigned spots and recording devices could not make noise.
Paltrow and Sanderson sat across from each other as their attorneys gave opening arguments. Both described their clients as victims.
The two showed little emotion as attorneys questioned their credibility. A somber-looking Paltrow – wearing a beige knit sweater, tweed harem pants and aviator-style reading glasses – wrote in a blue “GP”-initialed notebook.
The trial was expected to last a little more than a week.
Sanderson contends that on 26 February 2016, Paltrow was cruising down the slopes so recklessly that they collided, leaving him on the ground as she and her entourage continued their descent at Deer Valley Resort, a mountain known for its groomed runs, après-ski champagne yurts and posh clientele.
“Gwyneth Paltrow skied out of control,” Sanderson’s attorneys claim in their lawsuit, “knocking him down hard, knocking him out, and causing a brain injury, four broken ribs and other serious injuries. Paltrow got up, turned and skied away, leaving Sanderson stunned, lying in the snow, seriously injured.”
Sanderson is suing Paltrow for $300,000, claiming the accident was a result of negligence and left him physically injured and emotionally distressed.
Park City is a mountain resort which hosts the Sundance film festival.
The case could turn on determining whether Paltrow or Sanderson were further down the beginner’s run when the collision transpired. Both claim in court filings they were further downhill and therefore had the right of way.
Sanderson also accused Deer Valley and its employees of engaging in a “cover-up” by not providing complete information on reports about the accident and not following safety policies. Deer Valley was once a party in the suit but has been dismissed from the case, KUTV reported.
Sanderson initially sued for $3.1m but some demands were dropped by the court in May 2022, with the amount sought amended to $300,000. Paltrow countersued, demanding attorney’s fees and $1m in damages.
She not only alleges Sanderson was at fault for a collision which dealt her a “full body blow”. She also accuses him of exaggerating his injuries and of wanting to exploit her fame and wealth. Her countersuit says her group checked on Sanderson after the crash. Sanderson, who had 15 documented medical conditions at the time, said he was fine, according to Paltrow’s legal team.
In court, Paltrow’s attorney Steve Owens noted that Sanderson doesn’t deny that interaction but said in court filings that he cannot remember it.
Showing images on a projector of Paltrow on a chairlift with her son, Paltrow’s attorney cautioned jurors not to let sympathy for Sanderson’s ailments skew their judgments.
He questioned the 76-year-old’s credibility, noting his age and documented, pre-collision brain injuries. Owens also said Sanderson posted a “very happy, smiling picture” of himself online, being tobogganed down the slope after the crash.
“His memories of the case get better over the years,” Owens said. “That’s all I’m gonna say. That’s not how memory works.”
[Associated Press]
