Back in 2016, Gwyneth Paltrow was involved in a skiing accident at Deer Valley Resort in Utah that has resulted in a seven-year legal battle.
A retired optometrist named Terry Sanderson sued Paltrow in 2016, claiming she plowed into him on a beginner slope and caused lingering injuries as a result. The Oscar-winning actress, who is the defendant in the case, says he was the one who actually ran into her. The suit has now gone to trial, and Paltrow has taken the stand to testify. Her husband, Brad Falchuck, along with her children Apple Martin and Moses Martin, may testify, too.
It’s pretty unusual for a celebrity to go to trial over something like a ski accident, so it’s understandable to have a lot of questions about what’s going on in the trial, and what happened. Here’s everything to know so far:
Why is Gwyneth on trial?
Paltrow, 50, is on trial for allegedly crashing into Sanderson, now 76, on a beginner ski slope in 2016. Sanderson initially sued Paltrow for $3.1 million, claiming the accident with Paltrow left him dealing with lasting injuries and brain damage, CNN reports. He also claims Paltrow and her ski instructor skied away without getting him medical care.
Paltrow denies that she ran into Sanderson.
What actually happened during the ski crash?
That’s a great question! The trial has turned into a “he-said, she-said” situation, so this part is a bit unclear. Sanderson says Paltrow ran into him; Paltrow says no, Sanderson ran into her. Gwyneth countersued Sanderson (for $1 and legal fees) in 2019 after he sued her, stating she was the real victim in the situation.
During the trial, Sanderson claimed that Gwyneth hit him after skiing downhill in an “out of control manner,” per Court TV, adding that Gwyneth hit him so hard he suffered from “permanent traumatic brain injury, four broken ribs, pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and disfigurement.” According to Sanderson, he was left “stunned, lying in the snow, seriously injured” after the accident.
“I just remember everything was great and then I heard something I’ve never heard at a ski resort and that was a blood curdling scream … and then boom! It was like somebody was out of control and going to hit a tree and was going to die. And that’s what I had until I was hit,” he said during his testimony, per CNN.
On the other hand, Paltrow’s suit says the actress “was enjoying skiing with her family on vacation in Utah, when Plaintiff—who was uphill from Ms. Paltrow—plowed into her back. She sustained a full ‘body blow,’” the suit reads, per CNN. “Ms. Paltrow was angry with Plaintiff, and said so. Plaintiff apologized. She was shaken and upset, and quit skiing for the day even though it was still morning.”
So, it’ll be up to the jury to decide whose story is most accurate, and who was at fault.
Who is Terry Sanderson?
Sanderson is a retired optometrist who was skiing at Deer Valley on a beginner slope when a crash with Paltrow occurred.
Sanderson spent his professional career in a private practice in Soda Springs, Idaho, and says he has been skiing for three decades, per The Independent.
How much will Paltrow have to pay if she is found guilty?
Sanderson originally sued Paltrow for $3.1 million, according to CBS News. However, he later reduced that amount to $300,000. Paltrow countersued for $1 and for her legal expenses to be covered, CBS News says.
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What did Paltrow say during her testimony?
Gwyneth testified on Friday, March 24. During her testimony, Gwyneth said she originally thought the accident was a “sexual assault” or “practical joke,” CBS News reports. According to Gwyneth, two skis slid between her legs and her skis, and she felt a body “press against my back” before the two fell to the ground. “He was groaning and grunting in a disturbing way,” she said.
Gwyneth said she pushed Sanderson away and yelled at him. “I was very angry at what had happened,” she said. Gwyneth also said she didn’t know Sanderson was injured and didn’t ask how he was because she thought the accident was minor.
Gwyneth’s attorney also submitted a report from her ski instructor that said she was skied into, suggesting she was not at fault.
Where is the trial taking place?
The trial is taking place in Park City, Utah, according to WBAL.
Is there a verdict yet?
The trial is currently in its second week, and there is no verdict yet. It’s not clear when one will be delivered.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Paltrow case as more people take the stand.
Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.
