Gwyneth Paltrow, a well-known Hollywood actor and lifestyle influencer, is currently facing legal action from Terry Sanderson, a retired optometrist, who accused her of colliding with him in a "hit-and-run ski crash" that occurred seven years ago on the slopes of Flagstaff Mountain in the Deer Valley Resort near Park City, Utah.
The incident took place on 26 February 2016, when both Paltrow and Sanderson collided on a beginner's course known as the Bandana Run. In January 2019, Sanderson filed for damages and is seeking $300,000 in compensation for the injuries he sustained. Paltrow has filed a countersuit in which she asks for a symbolic $1 should she win and for her legal expenses to be covered.
The Trial
The case finally reached trial on Tuesday 21 March, with each side arguing that the other was at fault. Sanderson insists that Paltrow smashed into him on the slopes after racing downhill in an "out-of-control" manner, leaving him with "permanent traumatic brain injury, four broken ribs, pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and disfigurement."
In his complaint, the plaintiff argues that Paltrow "got up, turned, and skied away," leaving him "stunned, lying in the snow, seriously injured" without summoning help. A Deer Valley ski instructor, who had been training Paltrow, skied over, saw the injured Sanderson and skied off, falsely accusing Sanderson of having caused the crash.
In her countersuit, Paltrow says that the instructor, Eric Christiansen, did see the incident and believed she was not to blame. She added that she herself received a "full body blow" in the collision and had subsequently abandoned the day's skiing in distress.
Sanderson's Account
Speaking during a January 2019 press conference alongside his attorneys after filing the complaint, Sanderson elaborated that seconds before the crash, he had "heard this just hysterical screaming like… King Kong in the jungle or something." He said he had drifted in and out of consciousness in the aftermath and that his "ribs felt very sore," and his "brain felt like it was injected with novocaine."
Asked by a reporter how a "petite" woman like Paltrow could have injured him, a man of 5'8 and weighing 160 pounds, Sanderson answered: "The velocity explains it." The medic, who reportedly spent his professional career in private practice in Soda Springs, Idaho, and claims to be a skier of 30 years' experience, has been supported in his account of the accident by an acquaintance, Craig Ramon.
Ramon said in a video statement that he witnessed the incident and that Paltrow "landed right on top of him, and then she slides off to the side." He added that Paltrow "didn't say a single word" during the encounter and did not seek help.
Paltrow's Response
Paltrow has called the lawsuit "a meritless claim" and "an attempt to exploit her celebrity and wealth," insisting she "remembers what happened very clearly." In her countersuit, she argues that Sanderson was actually the one who was skiing recklessly and caused the crash.
However, Sanderson's legal team argues that Paltrow's account is a "smear campaign" and that she is using her celebrity status to influence the case. The trial is ongoing, and the outcome is yet to be determined.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the legal battle between Terry Sanderson and Gwyneth Paltrow over the alleged ski collision at Deer Valley Resort has finally reached trial after years of back and forth. While both sides present conflicting accounts of what happened on that fateful day, it is up to the court to determine who is at fault and what compensation, if any, should be awarded.
Regardless of the outcome, this case highlights the importance of safety on the slopes and the potential dangers of skiing, even on beginner courses. It also brings attention to the issue of celebrity and wealth in legal matters, with Paltrow arguing that Sanderson's lawsuit is an attempt to exploit her status and Sanderson claiming that Paltrow's fame may have influenced the instructor's account of the incident.
Ultimately, it is up to the court to weigh the evidence and make a decision that is fair and just for both parties involved. As for the rest of us, this serves as a reminder to always ski responsibly and prioritize safety on the slopes.
FAQs:
Q: What injuries did Terry Sanderson sustain in the ski collision with Gwyneth Paltrow?
A: Sanderson claims to have sustained a permanent traumatic brain injury, four broken ribs, pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and disfigurement.
Q: How much compensation is Terry Sanderson seeking in his lawsuit against Gwyneth Paltrow?
A: Sanderson is seeking $300,000 in compensation for his injuries.
Q: What is Gwyneth Paltrow's countersuit against Terry Sanderson?
A: Paltrow's countersuit asks for a symbolic $1 should she win and for her legal expenses to be covered.