PremiumGwyneth Paltrow's courtroom drama explained: What’s going on in the Oscar winner’s 2016 ski crash case?
The Iron Man actor is being sued by 76-year-old retired optometrist Terry Sanderson for over $3 million
Last Updated: 01.16 PM, Mar 27, 2023
After Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, another Hollywood star is at the centre of a courtroom drama. Several stunning, contradictory revelations have been made in just a week about a 2016 ski accident involving Academy Award winner Gwyneth Paltrow and 76-year-old retired optometrist Terry Sanderson. Each has claimed that the other caused the crash.
The case
In 2016, Gwyneth and Terry were involved in a ski accident during a vacation in Utah. Terry has sued the actor for over $3 million in damages, claiming to have suffered a permanent brain injury and four fractured ribs as a result of the crash. His lawyers accused Gwyneth of skiing in a reckless way and colliding into him. Gwyenth, however, has claimed that he crashed into her from behind. She then countersued Terry for a symbolic $1 and attorney fees that are likely to run into thousands of dollars.
Sexual assault claim
Gwyenth said that when the accident took place, she panicked because she thought that she was being sexually assaulted. AFP quoted her as saying in court, "I was skiing, and two skis came between my skis, forcing my legs apart, and then there was a body pressing against me, and there was a very strange grunting noise." She then claimed that Terry hit her.
‘Gwyneth engaged in risky behaviour’
Fingers were pointed at Gwyneth's behaviour on the ski slope, which Terry's lawyers termed as "risky". Countering this claim, she said that she never engaged in risky behaviour on the ski slope, adding that she was familiar with that particular slope.
Hit-and-run charge
Countering Terry's hit-and-run charge, Gwyenth said that after the accident, she stayed back with her ski instructor, and left only once the instructor asked her to leave. She added that he stayed back and filled out a report, and made sure that Terry was fine.
Eyewitness blames Gwyneth
An eyewitness was brought into court who said that Gwyneth was to blame for the accident. Gwyneth rubbished this claim, insisting that she was the one who was hit. Terry's daughter also testified, who, with tears in her eyes, said that the accident had caused a personality change in her father.
The Taylor Swift
connection In a 2017 case, Taylor Swift also sought $1 in damages in a sexual assault case. During the trial, Gwyneth was asked if she and Taylor were good friends since she seems to be inspired by the singer.
'Attempt to exploit my celebrity and wealth'
When asked if her damage claim of $1 was symbolic or not, Gwyenth said that it was indeed symbolic because the actual damages would be much more. She added that this lawsuit was an attempt to exploit her celebrity status and her wealth.
What's next?
The proceeding will continue today, and Terry is expected to testify. Apart from this, a medical expert, Gwyenth's children, who were with her on the 2016 ski trip, and her ski instructor are also expected to take the stand.