Gwyneth Paltrow Sued for 2016 Skiing Accident: Everything to Know About the Trial and Lawsuit
Seven years after Gwyneth Paltrow’s skiing accident occurred in Utah, the lawsuit is officially headed to court.
In January 2019, the Goop founder was sued by a doctor named Terry Sanderson after he claimed that Paltrow injured him during a crash while skiing in Deer Valley, Utah, in February 2016.
“Gwyneth Paltrow skied out of control and hit the back of Terry Sanderson, another skier, who was downhill, knocking him down hard, knocking him out, and causing a brain injury, four broken ribs and other serious injuries,” court documents obtained by Us Weekly stated. “Paltrow got up, turned and skied away, leaving Sanderson stunned, lying in the snow, seriously injured.”
The optometrist also alleged that a Deer Valley ski instructor approached Sanderson after the incident, but “also failed to send help.” He went on to accuse the employee of filing a false report to protect the Iron Man actress.
“[The ski instructor] filed a false report to protect his client, Ms. Paltrow,” the documents claimed. “Neither Ms. Paltrow nor Deer Valley lodge personnel notified emergency responders about the injured Dr. Sanderson.”
The now-retired medical professional further claimed at the time that the Oscar winner and instructor caused him “emotional distress” by “ignoring, denying assistance to, and skiing away” after the alleged crash.
Sanderson filed the lawsuit seeking more than $3 million in damages. Paltrow, for her part, denied the allegations and told Us in a statement, “This lawsuit is completely without merit and we expect to be vindicated.”
One month later, the Shakespeare in Love star went on to file a countersuit against Sanderson. The February 2019 court documents stated that Paltrow was seeking a jury trial and a symbolic $1 in damages.
“[Paltrow] was enjoying skiing with her family on vacation in Utah, when Plaintiff — who was uphill from Ms. Paltrow — plowed into her back,” the docs read. “She sustained a full ‘body blow.’ 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.”
In March 2023, it was revealed the civil lawsuit was moving forward and would go to trial at the Park City District Court. The case is scheduled to start on March 21 and will proceed for eight days. According to docs obtained by Us, the judge lowered the doctor’s claim from $3.1 million to $300,000.
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