Why is Paltrow being sued?

Sanderson , a 76-year-old military veteran, filed his lawsuit against Paltrow in 2019. He initially sought $3 million before dropping the amount to $300,000. In the suit, he alleged that the lifestyle influencer hit him while skiing on a beginner’s slope at Deer Valley Resort in Park City. The crash happened Feb. 26, 2016, in the resort town that hosts the celebrity-studded Sundance Film Festival. Sanderson claims Paltrow, 50, was skiing behind him, meaning that he had the right of way. In court, one of his attorneys, Lawrence Buhler, said the celebrity had turned to watch her children ski and “as she turns her head back down, she screams, then skis into the back of Terry Sanderson.” The collision left the retiree “facedown in the snow, unconscious,” Buhler said. He added that Paltrow took off, bolting down the mountain, as Sanderson began to stir, complaining that his ribs hurt. Later, Sanderson went to an emergency room with a concussion and four broken ribs. Acquaintance and ski companion Craig Ramon, who according to Sanderson’s attorneys was the only witness to the crash, took the stand. He testified that he was nearby when he saw Paltrow plow into Sanderson, knocking him over. “I hear this scream and then I see this skier just slam into the back of Terry,” he said, describing the impact as “very hard.” The accident has had a lasting effect on Sanderson, according to Buhler, who said that Paltrow’s “neglect, her choices and her disregard for other people on the mountain all combined together” to cause the life-altering brain injury. “Before this crash, Terry was an outgoing, charming, gregarious person,” Buhler said. “But after the crash, he’s no longer charming.” Sanderson said he was told by doctors that he can’t ski anymore. Skiing was something he used to be passionate about, he told the jury during the second week of the trial. He said he has found it difficult to communicate simple things to friends and family since the incident, and that the crash affected his visual memory, which means he loses his way often. “I’m like living another life now,” Sanderson said.

What is Paltrow’s defense?

Paltrow agrees that the pair collided on a ski run seven years ago. But her defense team argued that the accident was Sanderson’s fault — that he crashed into her. She was struck so suddenly, Paltrow testified Friday , that she initially wondered if she was being assaulted. “I was confused at first and didn’t know exactly what was happening,” Paltrow testified , recalling the moment Sanderson’s skis appeared between her own and she felt a body pressing into her. “I thought, ‘Is this a practical joke? Is someone doing something perverted? This is really, really strange.'” Seconds later, she testified, the pair both toppled to the ground, their skis entangled. “I remember pushing away because I was very upset,” Paltrow said. “I pushed down the hill and I turned around and yelled at him … I said, ‘You skied directly into my [...] back,’ and he said, ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry.’” In the immediate aftermath of the crash, Paltrow attorney Stephen Owens said, Sanderson apologized to Paltrow when she told him he hit her. Members of Paltrow’s group checked on Sanderson, who said he was okay, her attorney argued, and Sanderson repeated the same thing to a ski patrol member. The attorney said Paltrow skied away after Sanderson’s assurances and after ski patrol had left. It was only after first waving away ski patrol that Sanderson sought out help, Owens said. Owens called Ramon’s account of the incident “a whole different, crazy story.” Sanderson told the jury on Monday that the incident began with a “bloodcurdling scream,” which made him think that “Somebody was out of control and was going to hit a tree and was going to die.” This was moments before he was rear-ended, he said. At first, Owens said, no one recognized Paltrow, who was wearing a helmet and goggles. But later that day, after her identity became clear, Sanderson wrote to his daughters, “I’m famous.” One of them responded, “I’m so glad you’re okay.” Paltrow’s attorney suggested Sanderson’s health issues stem from other causes, saying, “He’s aging, he has prior problems, and he’s now obsessed, essentially, with this lawsuit.” “I don’t want to seem like I’m beating up on a kindly old man,” Owens said, “but keep in mind we have to do this because they’ve said Gwyneth owes me $3 million.” Paltrow filed a counterclaim, seeking attorneys fees and $1 in damages. She said that Sanderson caused the collision, overstated his injuries from the incident, and is attempting to exploit her fame and wealth, the Associated Press reported. In addition to her Oscar-winning acting career — including films like “Shakespeare in Love” and the Iron Man series — Paltrow founded the lifestyle and wellness brand Goop in 2008. The company has seen its own controversy, as many health experts have questioned its dubious claims. She most recently drew concern over her eating habits, which she told an interviewer consisted of drinking only coffee and bone broth for most of the day.

How long will the trial last?

The trial opened March 21. The case has garnered national attention, with online critics opining on Paltrow’s attire and the opposing lawyer bantering with the celebrity on the stand . Testimony from witnesses include a radiologist who described Sanderson’s alleged deterioration in the aftermath of the incident. On the second day of the trial, Paltrow’s attorney complained that a news camera was trained on his client’s face, adding that it has been a continuous problem with, “for instance, reporters being in front of my client’s car going out yesterday, cameras being in her face.” Judge Kent Holmberg said the placement of the camera went against the court’s decorum order. The trial is scheduled for an eight-day period. Paltrow’s husband, Brad Falchuk , daughter Apple and son Moses were among witnesses expected to testify or provide depositions, according to news reports . Paltrow attorney Owens later said that he was unsure whether Falchuk would testify since the judge had hinted that he wanted to adhere to the trial’s eight-day limit. Excerpts from the depositions of 18-year-old Apple and Moses, 16, will soon be read in court.

Lifestyle

Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski accident trial is almost over. Here’s what to know.

By Anumita Kaur

Brittany Shammas

Sonia Rao

and

Maham Javaid

Updated March 28, 2023 at 8:31 p.m. EDT|Published March 21, 2023 at 9:17 p.m. EDT

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow in a Utah courtroom on Friday. (Rick Bowmer/Pool/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

6 min

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow testified in a Utah courtroom this week for a civil trial after a retired optometrist accused her of crashing into him while skiing on a bunny hill at an upscale Park City resort.

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Terry Sanderson brought the lawsuit against the Goop CEO, claiming she recklessly crashed into him and then skied away despite his injuries. He said the accident left him with broken ribs and permanent brain damage.

Paltrow has denied that she caused the collision, filing a lawsuit of her own against Sanderson. She claims he was the one who crashed into her.

Here’s what to know as the closely watched trial continues.