Gwyneth Paltrow leaves the Summit County Courthouse after she was awarded $1 in her countersuit in opposition to Terry Sanderson and was discovered not at fault for a ski collision between them in Park Metropolis on Thursday, March 30, 2023. Kristin Murphy, Deseret Information
Terry Sanderson, middle, leaves the Summit County Courthouse after Gwyneth Paltrow was awarded $1 in her countersuit in opposition to Sanderson and was discovered not at fault for a ski collision between them in Park Metropolis on Thursday, March 30, 2023. Kristin Murphy, Deseret Information
Gwyneth Paltrow speaks with retired optometrist Terry Sanderson, left, as she walks out of the courtroom following the studying of the decision of their lawsuit trial, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Park Metropolis, Utah. Paltrow received her court docket battle over a 2016 ski collision at a fancy Utah ski resort after a jury determined Thursday that the film star wasn’t at fault for the crash. Rick Bowmer, Related Press
Gwyneth Paltrow and her lawyer Steve Owens smile after the studying of the decision in her lawsuit trial, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Park Metropolis, Utah. Paltrow received her court docket battle over a 2016 ski collision at a fancy Utah ski resort after a jury determined Thursday that the film star wasn’t at fault for the crash. Rick Bowmer, Related Press
Gwyneth Paltrow was discovered not at fault by an eight-person Park Metropolis jury on Thursday.
The jury sided with Paltrow and located her not at fault for the 2016 ski collision with retired physician Terry Sanderson at Deer Valley ski resort.
Sanderson owes Paltrow $1 in damages, per KSL.
Why was Gwyneth Paltrow on trial?
In 2016, the Academy Award successful actress was concerned in a collision with Sanderson, a retired optometrist, on a ski slope at Deer Valley Resort in Park Metropolis, Utah.
Paltrow and Sanderson each claimed the opposite is at fault for the incident. Sanderson was suing Paltrow for $300,000 in damages. Paltrow countersued for $1.
The lawsuit was messy, emotional and generally even humorous. Here's a timeline of the trial.
Terry Sanderson, middle, leaves the Summit County Courthouse after Gwyneth Paltrow was awarded $1 in her countersuit in opposition to Sanderson and was discovered not at fault for a ski collision between them in Park Metropolis on Thursday, March 30, 2023.
Kristin Murphy, Deseret Information
2016: The ski accident at Deer Valley Resort
Feb. 26, 2016: Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow and retired physician Terry Sanderson collide on a newbie (inexperienced) ski run at Deer Valley Resort in Park Metropolis, Utah.
Sanderson’s declare: Sanderson claims he was snowboarding forward of Paltrow — giving him the fitting of means — when he heard her scream “like King Kong” and ski into his again. In keeping with court docket paperwork obtained by CNN in 2019, Paltrow allegedly “skied uncontrolled … knocking him down onerous.”
- In keeping with his lawyer, Sanderson was left “facedown within the snow, unconscious,” and Paltrow allegedly bolted down the mountain with out attending to him, per The Washington Put up.
- “I bear in mind feeling sore, my ribs had been actually sore. And my mind felt prefer it had been injected with Novocaine, I don’t understand how else to explain it. It was simply numb. Nothing was making sense,” Sanderson recalled, per the Deseret Information.
- Later, Sanderson went to the emergency room. He obtained a concussion and 4 damaged ribs from the collision.
Paltrow’s declare: In keeping with Paltrow, she was watching her kids make their means down the bunny slope when Sanderson “skied instantly into” her again.
- Paltrow claims each her and Sanderson fell to the bottom after the collision — she admits to dropping her mood and yelling at Sanderson, shouting that he skied into her. “I pushed down the hill and I circled and yelled at him … I mentioned, ‘You skied instantly into my ... again,’ and he mentioned, ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry,’” Paltrow claimed, per The Washington Put up.
- After the collision, Paltrow allegedly fled the scene with out asking Sanderson if he was OK. She defined this was as a result of “he had hit me and I used to be very upset,” per the Deseret Information.
- The ski teacher Paltrow employed, Eric Christiansen, remained on the scene to assist Sanderson. Paltrow mentioned that, as a consultant for Deer Valley Resort, Christiansen gave Paltrow permission to affix her younger daughter on the backside of the slope, per the Deseret Information.
- Shortly after the collision, Paltrow mentioned she skilled ache in her knee and again. She despatched a textual content message to her ski teacher that she had stopped snowboarding: “That man form of damage me! I’m goin to get a therapeutic massage,” Paltrow wrote in a textual content, per the Deseret Information.
Sanderson allegedly reached out to Paltrow: In the course of the years following the incident, Sanderson claims he reached out to Paltrow’s folks a number of instances in search of a settlement however Paltrow’s attorneys by no means supplied him something, per the Deseret Information.
- “He demanded Ms. Paltrow pay him hundreds of thousands. If she didn't pay, she would face destructive publicity ensuing from his allegations,” Paltrow’s attorneys wrote in a 2019 court docket submitting, per The Related Press.
Gwyneth Paltrow speaks with retired optometrist Terry Sanderson, left, as she walks out of the courtroom following the studying of the decision of their lawsuit trial, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Park Metropolis, Utah. Paltrow received her court docket battle over a 2016 ski collision at a fancy Utah ski resort after a jury determined Thursday that the film star wasn’t at fault for the crash.
Rick Bowmer, Related Press
2019: Terry Sanderson information lawsuit in opposition to Gwyneth Paltrow
- Sanderson sues Paltrow for “hit-and-run” ski crash: Roughly three years after the alleged ski incident, Sanderson filed a lawsuit in opposition to Paltrow. Sanderson was initially in search of $3.1 million in damages — he claimed the collision left him with a mind damage and 4 damaged ribs.
- “Gwyneth Paltrow knew it was fallacious to ski uncontrolled too quick for her potential … however she did it anyway,” the lawsuit states, per the Deseret Information.
- “I’ve skied for over 30 years, I’ve by no means knocked anyone down and damage ’em. I’ve by no means been knocked down or bought damage. I feel that is form of a singular state of affairs and particularly when it was unkind to go away me there,” Sanderson mentioned in 2019, per the Deseret Information.
- “There was a degree on this entire factor, many instances, I assumed that (an apology) could be adequate,” Sanderson mentioned in 2019, per the Deseret Information. “I’m a proud particular person and I don’t wish to be instructed I’m not telling the reality and that she now could be telling my reality.”
Paltrow’s spokesperson reacts: In 2019, Heather Wilson, a consultant for Paltrow, instructed ABC Information, “This lawsuit is totally with out benefit. Anybody who reads the details will understand that.”
Paltrow information countersuit: Paltrow filed her personal countersuit roughly a month after Sanderson in 2019 — she detailed her personal model of the occasion and blamed Sanderson for the collision, per NPR.
- In keeping with Paltrow’s countersuit, Sanderson “plowed” into her again, delivering a “full ‘physique blow,’” per ABC Information.
- “Ms. Paltrow was offended with Plaintiff, and mentioned so. Plaintiff apologized. She was shaken and upset, and stop snowboarding for the day despite the fact that it was nonetheless morning,” mentioned the countersuit.
- Paltrow mentioned her accidents had been minor and she or he is simply in search of “symbolic damages” of $1 along with the price of lawyer charges to defend herself from Sanderson’s “meritless declare,” per ABC Information.
2022: Case dismissed by Utah choose
Utah choose guidelines on case — not a “hit-and-run ski crash”: Upon listening to arguments from Paltrow’s attorneys, Third District Decide Kent Holmberg dismissed elements of the lawsuit and dominated that the ski collision was not a “hit-and-run ski crash,” reported KSL.
- Holmberg dismissed claims that Paltrow negligently inflicted emotional misery on Sanderson. In keeping with Sanderson, the collision left him sometimes having “emotions of being unable to deal with life.”
- The 2022 court docket order mentioned Paltrow’s actions after the ski collision had been cheap — proof reveals that Paltrow remained on the scene for a smart period of time and she or he believed leaving wouldn't result in additional damage or emotional trauma, in response to KSL.
- “Nobody with data of Ms. Paltrow’s post-collision actions claims to have noticed Paltrow performing recklessly. Even when interpreted within the mild most favorable to (Sanderson), the undisputed details fail to help his declare that Paltrow’s post-collision actions had been more likely to lead to substantial hurt,” the order acknowledged, per KSL.
- Sanderson diminished damages to $300,000, claiming Paltrow negligently precipitated damage.
2023: Trial begins in Park Metropolis, Utah
Trial begins March 21: Seven years after the Deer Valley ski collision, Paltrow and Sanderson reported to a court docket room in Park Metropolis with opening arguments for the primary day of the trial.
Sanderson’s opening statements: Lawrence Buhler, Sanderson’s lawyer, highlighted his shopper’s army service and detailed Sanderson’s accidents following the collision — 4 damaged ribs and mind trauma, stories The Related Press.
- “Distracted skiers trigger crashes. Defendant Gwyneth Paltrow knew that trying up the mountain and to the aspect whereas snowboarding down the mountain was harmful,” Buhler started his opening arguments, in response to NPR.
- Sanderson allegedly has had critical points because the collision and “his potential to deal with life is diminished,” defined Buhler, including that the worth of damages brought on by the incident is $3.276 million, per the Deseret Information.
- Buhler went on to explain Paltrow as a rich, skilled skier with a “so what?” perspective in direction of the collision, per the AP.
Paltrow’s opening statements: “There are inherent dangers of snowboarding,” mentioned Paltrow’s lawyer, Stephen Owens, who believes the jury will discover nobody is at fault. “Snowboarding is harmful and collisions occur.”
- Paltrow was described by Owens as a “conservative skier” who was “taken out from behind” after Sanderson’s skis got here between hers and introduced them each down, per Deseret Information.
- Owens prompt that Sanderson’s well being points stem from growing old. “He’s growing old, he has prior issues, and he’s now obsessed, primarily, with this lawsuit,” mentioned Owens, per The Washington Put up.
- “I don’t wish to appear to be I’m beating up on a kindly outdated man however take into accout we've to do that as a result of they’ve mentioned Gwyneth owes me $3 million,” Owens continued.
The one eyewitness
Craig Ramon, eyewitness: The one particular person to witness the collision is Craig Ramon, an acquaintance of Sanderson — he was snowboarding in a gaggle with Sanderson and some others. Ramon was the primary witness known as to the stand.
- Ramon mentioned he was roughly 30 to 40 toes away from the collision. He recalled listening to a scream and seeing a skier slam into Sanderson’s again, per Deseret Information.
- Following the collision, Sanderson was face-down within the snow and and unresponsive for a few minutes, in response to Ramon. He didn't converse to Paltrow however he remembers her getting up off the bottom.
- Ramon described Paltrow’s ski teacher, Christiansen, as “very hostile” and that he stored yelling: “What did you do?” stories Deseret Information.
- Sanderson was once an “superior skilled” skier, in response to Ramon, however admitted that in 2016 Sanderson “simply didn’t have it” on the slopes anymore and that “he wasn’t the identical skier as he was the earlier yr,” per Deseret Information.
Gwyneth Paltrow and her lawyer Steve Owens smile after the studying of the decision in her lawsuit trial, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Park Metropolis, Utah. Paltrow received her court docket battle over a 2016 ski collision at a fancy Utah ski resort after a jury determined Thursday that the film star wasn’t at fault for the crash.
Rick Bowmer, Related Press
Gwyneth Paltrow takes the stand
March 24: Paltrow testified that Sanderson smashed into her on the slopes — the incident left her confused and offended.
- “Mr. Sanderson skied instantly into my again,” Paltrow mentioned from the witness stand, per The Washington Put up. “I froze and bought upset a pair seconds later.”
- Paltrow recalled feeling confused when she felt a physique pressed in opposition to her. “I used to be confused at first and didn’t know precisely what was occurring,” she defined, per The Washington Put up. “I assumed, ‘Is that this a sensible joke? Is somebody doing one thing perverted? That is actually, actually unusual.’ My thoughts was going very, in a short time and I used to be making an attempt to establish what was occurring.”
- Opposite to the testimony of Ramon, Paltrow claimed she didn't scream when she was hit. Paltrow testified that they each toppled to the bottom, and their skis had been entangled.
- “I bear in mind pushing away as a result of I used to be very upset,” Paltrow mentioned, per The Washington Put up. “I pushed down the hill and I circled and yelled at him ... I mentioned, ‘You skied instantly into my effing again,’ and he mentioned, ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry.’”
- Paltrow apologized to the lawyer for her “unhealthy language.”
Sanderson’s character modified after the collision
Sanderson’s daughter testifies: Polly Sanderson Grasham testified that her father grew to become an “offended particular person” following the 2016 ski collision — and denied claims that he was verbally abusive previous to the collision, per the New York Put up.
- Sanderson Grasham described her dad as “fun-loving, very gregarious, undoubtedly an extrovert” earlier than the collision, stories the New York Put up.
- “Scripting this fallacious for him has actually form of consumed him. He wished to make it proper,” Sanderson Grasham instructed the jury, per the New York Put up.
Terry Sanderson takes the stand
March 27: Sanderson gave a tearful testimony, claiming, “I’m like residing one other life now.” His authorized workforce mentioned he can not ski and suffers from reminiscence lapses, stories CBS Information.
- “I bought hit in my again so onerous, and proper at my shoulder blades,” Sanderson recalled of the collision, per CBS Information. “It felt prefer it was completely centered, the fists and the poles had been proper there, at my shoulder blades. Critical, critical smack. I’ve by no means been hit that tough.”
The ‘I’m well-known’ electronic mail from Sanderson
Sanderson questioned about GoPro footage: Paltrow’s lawyer requested Sanderson about an electronic mail he despatched his daughters after the crash during which he mentioned “I’m well-known” after colliding with Paltrow. He added, “I can also’t consider that is all on GoPro” in the identical electronic mail. The GoPro footage didn't make it as proof within the trial, per CBS Information.
“Do you recall saying that you simply agree that saying ‘I’m well-known’ was a loopy factor to say?” Stephen Owens, Paltrow’s lawyer, requested Sanderson, per the Each day Beast.
“Completely, it’s not me,” Sanderson responded. “I don’t purchase into that.”
“Nevertheless it was you, proper? If you say ‘it wasn’t me,’ it was, in reality, you,” Owens questioned.
“It’s the opposite character that’s inhabiting my physique proper now,” Sanderson mentioned.
“And also you blame Gwyneth Paltrow for that?” requested Owens.
“Sure,” Sanderson replied.
Depositions from Gwyneth Paltrow’s kids
Depositions from Paltrow’s two kids: Apple and Moses Martin — Paltrow’s kids — had been on the ski slopes with Paltrow the day of the collision. Neither of them noticed the crash.
- Moses Martin, who was 9 years outdated on the time of the collision, mentioned he “didn't see the precise collision occur” however he recalled seeing his “mom and an individual behind her who had crashed” on the bottom, per Good Morning America.
- Paltrow’s son additionally famous listening to his mom yell “one thing alongside the strains of ‘What the F-word, you simply bumped into me.’”
- Apple Martin mentioned she was on the backside of the ski run when the collision occurred. She recollects listening to a ladies scream however “it wasn’t very clear,” per Good Morning America.
- Throughout lunch on the lodge that day Apple Martin claimed her mother talked about somebody bumped into her, saying “ran proper into my again.”
- “She was very clearly visibly upset and she or he was in somewhat little bit of ache,” Apple Martin added.
Closing Statements
Terry Sanderson: “Terry went out for a enjoyable day of snowboarding. He by no means got here again that night time as the identical particular person” mentioned Sanderson’s lawyer Robert Sykes, per the BBC.
- In his closing assertion, Sanderson’s lawyer mentioned Paltrow was “a very good particular person” and “not a liar” however that her model of the story doesn't maintain up.
Gwyneth Paltrow: Paltrow’s protection workforce argued that she has been “pounded like a punching bag” by a person who “likes to be within the highlight,” per the BBC.
- “He hit her, he damage her and he’s not entitled to sue her,” mentioned Paltrow’s lawyer Steve Owens.
- James Egan, one other member of Paltrow’s protection workforce, claimed it was onerous for Sanderson “to just accept the decline he's experiencing” and had “grabbed on to the collision to clarify it.”
The Verdict
The Verdict: The jury discovered Gwyneth Paltrow not at fault for the 2016 ski collision with Terry Sanderson at Deer Valley Resort in Park Metropolis, Utah, per KSL.
- The eight-person jury discovered Sanderson 100% at fault for the 2016 collision.
- Sanderson owes Paltrow $1 in damages, the quantity Paltrow requested in her countersuit.
Correction: A earlier model of this story mentioned that Paltrow was discovered “not responsible.” She was discovered “not at fault.”