Gwyneth Paltrow has won her ski crash trial and has been awarded $1 in damages after a jury decided she was not at fault in her 2016 collision with retired doctor Terry Sanderson. Sanderson had initially sought more than $3m in damages, accusing Paltrow of leaving him with a traumatic brain injury, broken ribs and a loss of enjoyment of life. Paltrow countered, claiming that Sanderson was at fault and thus sued for a symbolic $1 in damages as well as her attorneys’ fees.
Gwyneth Paltrow has won her ski crash trial and been awarded $1 in damages after a jury decided she was not at fault in a collision with retired doctor Terry Sanderson.
Actress Gwyneth Paltrow has won her controversial ski crash trial and been awarded $1 in damages. A jury declared that Paltrow was not at fault in her 2016 collision with retired doctor Terry Sanderson, who had accused her of leaving him with a traumatic brain injury, broken ribs, and a loss of enjoyment of life. Paltrow, who was at the ski resort in Park City, Utah, with her family when the incident occurred, was seen smiling in response to the verdict, while Sanderson shook his head in defeat. Initially, Sanderson had sought over $3m in damages, later reduced to $300,000.
Paltrow counteredued for a symbolic $1 in damages and her attorneys’ fees, claiming that Sanderson had been the one who caused the collision. Throughout the trial, the Goop founder made headlines for her statements, which included apologizing for her bad language and for telling Sanderson he skied into her “f—king back.” Asked if her suit for a symbolic $1 was inspired by Taylor Swift’s, who countersued a DJ in 2017, Paltrow downplayed her relationship with the singer.
Besides her polarizing reflections on the incident, viewers were also interested in Paltrow’s outfits during the trial. Accessorizing with items from her own G. Label and designer goods from Celine, Prada, and Proenza Schouler, Paltrow was praised for her chic courtroom ensembles. In her testimony, Paltrow stated that she had lost half a day of skiing due to the crash.
Although Paltrow won the trial, she still lost a great deal of capital and reputation in the meantime. The trial was widely followed, with Paltrow’s testimony and courtroom looks sparking debate on social media. Despite the result, some wondered whether the trial highlighted the problematic nature of celebrity justice, with those like Paltrow portrayed as either above the law or victims of ordinary people.