Gwyneth Paltrow wins ski crash law suit

Lifestyle

Published: 2023-03-31 11:02

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 12:53


Gwyneth Paltrow wins ski crash law suit
Gwyneth Paltrow wins ski crash law suit

A jury ruled Thursday that actress Gwyneth Paltrow is not liable for an accident on a swanky US ski slope, as it dismissed a USD 3.3 million damages claim from a retired optometrist.

Terry Sanderson, 76, had alleged a collision with the star in Utah left him with four broken ribs and lasting psychological damage, and had sued for compensation.

Paltrow countersued for a symbolic USD 1.

After an eight-day civil trial, a jury in Park City unanimously found the "Shakespeare in Love" actress did not cause the crash in 2016.

The Oscar-winner was in court every day of the trial, listening attentively to evidence, including Sanderson's claims that she had hit him so hard in the back that he went airborne.

"I got hit in my back so hard and it was right at my shoulder blades, a serious, serious smack. I've never been hit that hard, and I'm flying," he told the jury earlier.

"Last thing I remember, everything was black."

The plaintiff said the crash, which happened at the tony Deer Valley resort, had left him with permanent brain damage and had altered his personality such that he could no longer enjoy life.

"These are golden years," attorney Lawrence Buhler told the jury Thursday before they began their deliberations.

"These are the most valuable years when you can enjoy your retirement and actually do things like travel.

"Terry doesn't want to be brain injured. He wants to live life to its fullest," Buhler said.

"He's got this issue that a big part of him was left up on that... ski run."

Buhler asked the jury to award Sanderson USD 33 for every waking hour since the incident until his death, which he said might come in 10 years.

That amounts to "USD 3,276,000 for the 17 years that Terry has to deal with this permanent brain injury."