Verdict In Gwyneth Paltrow's The Ski-Run Trial
A lawsuit in the courtroom in Park City has recently managed to be among the hottest scandals in Hollywood. What made the case so interesting was that Gwyneth Paltrow, an actress and wellness influencer, was at the centre of the event. Paltrow was being sued by Terry Sanderson, the 76-year-old retired optometrist who alleges that she crashed recklessly into him from behind while skiing in Utah in 2016.
Even if Paltrow would be charged as guilty since this is not a criminal case, it is civil; although there was never a possibility of facing jail time, the case's outcome was eagerly awaited. Sanderson claimed that he went through excruciating processes after the ski accident caused by Paltrow left him with permanent brain damage; Sanderson sued her for more than $300,000 (Although this amount was initially $3.1 million, the judge denied this amount). Conversely, Paltrow counter-sued Sanderson for the reimbursement of $1 and attorney's fees on her behalf.
Viral Moments
Some moments that happened during the case went viral due to the influence of Paltrow's reputation. The famous actress managed to stay on the agenda with her "court chic" carrying a quite luxurious aesthetic and her conversation with Sanderson's lawyer Kristin Vanorman. Vanorman recalled the 2017 $1 lawsuit between Swift and radio DJ David Mueller by frequently asking Paltrow if she had a relationship with Taylor Swift. Paltrow would probably have found this question as absurd as any of us, so she dismissed the similarity between the cases and argued: "I would not say we're good friends. We are friendly. I've taken my kids to one of her concerts before, but we don't talk very often."
Found Not Guilty
After the contentious case, the jury came to a decision and said that Paltrow was not responsible for the ski-crash accident. However, due to the widely-watched theatricals of the trial, Sanderson will pay a symbolic $1 and Paltrow's attorney's fees. While Paltrow emphasized Sanderson's attempt to exploit her reputation and wealth from the incident in 2016, in the case she was found correct, she added her final statement.
“I felt that acquiescing to a false claim comprised my integrity. I am pleased with the outcome and I appreciate all of the hard work of Judge Holmberg and the jury, and thank them for their thoughtfulness in handling this case.” - Gwyneth Paltrow, in the courtroom in Park City 2023
Picture 1 and 3 © Shutterstock
Picture 2 © Pexels