Gwyneth Paltrow was found not to be at fault in the 2016 ski accident that retired ophthalmologist Dr. Terry Sanderson claimed caused him lasting health problems.
After seven days of deliberation, a jury determined she was not at fault and awarded her the symbolic $1 she had asked.
Gwyneth, 50, was embroiled in a legal battle after being sued by the 76-year-old doctor for allegedly crashing into him on the slopes in 2016 and injuring him. In response, the Goop founder launched a countersuit, claiming that Terry was the one who ran into her.
The actress expressed her satisfaction with the accomplishment in an Instagram story.
“I thought that accepting a fraudulent claim jeopardized my honesty.”
“I am satisfied with the decision, and I appreciate all of Judge Holmberg’s and the jury’s hard work, and I thank them for their compassion in handling this matter,”
Apple, 18, and Moses, 16, Gwyneth’s children with ex-husband Chris Martin, came forward to support their mother during the trial.
Moses observed the crash and said he saw it while skiing with his instructor. “I recognized the equipment she was wearing because I know what she wears when she skis,” he claimed in his deposition, which was given to the jury by one of Gwyneth’s legal team.
“I was standing around when I noticed it was my mum. As I arrived, I heard my mother ranting at the man. She was shouting something like, ‘What the F-word? You merely bumped into me.’”
On the other hand, Apple was not present during the accident but heard a disturbance immediately afterward.
The Iron Man star initially made waves in January 2019 after Terry filed a complaint against her, alleging that Gwyneth hurt him and fled the scene three years before in Deer Valley, Utah.
According to court filings, “Gwyneth Paltrow skied out of control and collided with the back of Terry Sanderson, another downhill skier, slamming him down hard, knocking him out, and inflicting brain damage, four fractured ribs, and other significant injuries.”
Terry had previously sought more than $3 million in damages but had only requested $300,000 in the recent trial.
Her legal team stated that she was struck by Terry and received a complete “body blow,” leaving her terrified and distraught. Gwyneth has maintained her innocence throughout the trial, which began on Thursday, March 23, at the Park City District Court.
On Friday, March 24, she testified about the traumatizing incident, indicating that she initially mistook the collision for a sexual assault due to the strike’s violent nature.
“I was skiing, and two skis got between my skis, forcing my legs apart, and then there was a body pressing against me, and there was a very unusual grunting noise, so my brain was trying to make sense of what was happening,” the Oscar winner explained. ‘Is this a practical joke?’ I wondered. Is someone doing something heinous? This is quite unusual.’”
