The trial begins this Tuesday, March 21, of actress Gwyneth Paltrow (Los Angeles, 50 years old) for a skiing accident at a resort in Utah (USA) in which she was involved seven years ago, in 2016 , is being brought to justice It is not yet known if the businesswoman and owner of the lifestyle portal Goop will attend the trial and testify before the judge to challenge allegations by Terry Sanderson, the 69-year-old retired doctor with whom she is dating had the misfortune to defend.
Sanderson formalized the complaint in 2019, three years after the accident, claiming that “he was struck down with violence and left unconscious.” In addition, the lawsuit explains how the incident caused him “permanent traumatic brain injury, four fractured ribs, pain, depression, loss of zest for life, emotional distress and disfigurement,” the lawsuit states. He originally claimed $3.1 million for the damage he caused, but the amount was reduced during the course of the court investigation.
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But not everything seems so clear. Back in 2019, Paltrow denied Sanderson’s allegations, claiming he was to blame for the skiing accident. He also accused him of trying to exploit his wealth and fame by taking legal action. Sources close to the Oscar winner told the New York Post yesterday that Paltrow will testify in her defense but it’s not yet clear when she will appear. The process should take up to eight days.
The Goop founder’s version of events differs from Sanderson’s complaint. The retiree explained at the time that in February 2016, while skiing a beginner’s slope at Deer Valley Resort, he heard a “hysterical scream” before being hit from behind and knocking out consciousness. “It’s difficult to experience that again. It was a great day of skiing with five other friends. We passed two slowdown signals. I heard this hysterical scream and was instantly hit from behind. That’s all I remember,” he explained at a press conference in 2019.
He also stated that Paltrow left him injured on the mountain and didn’t even help him or ask for help. However, the actress claimed that he was the one who hit her from behind, that she stopped skiing because of the collision and that the man apologized, but that she told him that she was fine and that she didn’t have to worry.
In fact, the ski instructor Paltrow’s nine-year-old son was dating confirmed his version, although he didn’t witness the exact moment of the accident, all he could hear was her screaming and when she turned around she was already in the ground. The complainant then accused him of having made a false statement. For her part, the interpreter is demanding a “symbolic” compensation of one dollar plus her legal fees. On the other hand, and after the judge dismissed part of Sanderson’s demands, he is asking for $300,000 (about 278,000 euros at current exchange rates), almost 3 million less than originally asked.
Despite being two conflicting versions (and two very different economic claims), the fact that the doctor fell is repeated in both testimonies. And according to the Summit County (Utah) ordinance of the Skier Responsibility Code, skiers must stop immediately at the scene of an accident and help injured persons provide them with appropriate assistance. Also in the event of an accident, the skiers involved must give their name and address to an employee of the area.