Paltrow believed the collision to be an intentional motive for sexual harassment.
American actress Gwyneth Paltrow won a lawsuit filed by a retired ophthalmologist, who accused her of causing his injury during a 2016 skiing accident in Utah.
After three hours of deliberation yesterday, the jury acquitted Paltrow of any responsibility in the accident.
The actress received one symbolic dollar, which she demanded as moral compensation for the psychological damage she suffered.
Doctor Terry Sanderson, 76, had claimed that Paltrow collided with him – in 2016 – during their skiing at the high-end Deer Valley ski station in Rocky Mountain, which caused him fractures in four of his ribs and permanent psychological damage, to decide in 2019 to sue Paltrow.
The patent earned Paltrow millions of dollars
Sanderson told the jury that the incident changed his personality.
He added, “I live a different life. Communication with my family members has become more difficult. The essence of my life has changed. Communication is no longer smooth following the accident.”
In their closing arguments, Sanderson’s lawyers demanded compensation for their client’s irreversible damage to his brain and negatively impacting his lifestyle.
image copyright EPA
Sanerson considered this ruling disappointing
Two contradictory stories
The hearings focused on determining which party shocked the other.
Sanderson stated that the American actress hit him severely and dangerously in the back, specifically at the shoulder bones, and fled, leaving him unconscious.
However, Paltrow presented a contradictory account, stating that it was Sanderson who hit her in the back, in addition to her belief that the collision was intended to be motivated by sexual harassment.
Paltrow said: “I was skiing and two skis appeared between my skis, which prompted me to spread my legs apart, then I felt someone pressing on my body and I heard a very strange hum.”
Paltrow admitted she left the scene of the accident because her ski instructor told her she might.
Paltrow’s lawyer, Stephen Owens, said that Sanderson wanted, through his false claims, to obtain a huge sum of money.
The love of fame
Investigations revealed that Sanderson had previously sent an e-mail to his daughters with the phrase “I became famous”.
During his letter, he touched on the incident, and in response to the jury’s question, the ophthalmologist said: “I made a mistake in choosing my expressions. I was trying to alleviate the difficult situation, but it backfired.”
Some members of the doctor’s family gave testimonies describing the man as having a severe temper even before the accident.
Post-judgment reactions
After the sentencing, Paltrow said she was “happy with the outcome” and added, “I feel that simply letting false allegations pass has the potential to compromise my integrity.”
Ophthalmologist Sanderson responded to the ruling by saying: “This ruling is very disappointing.”
image copyright Archyde.com
During the trial, accurate details of Sanderson’s health were presented, including the ailments he was already suffering from prior to the accident.
The trial, which was broadcast live from Park City, garnered widespread media attention and generated a lot of online commentary, with some users humorously altering images of the hearings.
American actress Paltrow, who won an Oscar in 1999, is best known for her role in the movie “Shakespeare in Love”, in addition to her role in the “Iron Man” series.