Lawyers for the man suing Gwyneth Paltrow over a civil skiing accident Thursday demanded that the American actress pay her client nearly $3.3 million in damages.
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Terry Sanderson, a 76-year-old retired optometrist, says the 2016 crash at an upscale Rocky Mountain resort in the western United States fractured four ribs and caused permanent mental damage.
During their most recent argument in a Utah court, Mr. Sanderson’s attorneys argued that their client should be compensated for the irreversible brain damage he suffered that is affecting his quality of life.
“These are the most valuable years (of a life) in which one can enjoy one’s retirement”, launched Lawrence Bühler with a view to the “golden times” of his client.
According to the attorney, the jury should consider awarding his client $33 for each hour in the day from the accident to Terry Sanderson’s death, which he estimates could happen in 10 years.
The bill totaled “$3,276,000 for the 17 years that Terry had to deal with this irreversible brain damage.”
The optician filed his lawsuits against the actress, Oscar winner of “Shakespeare in Love”, in 2019.
Gwyneth Paltrow launched other lawsuits in return, demanding a token dollar and reimbursement of her legal fees.
At the heart of the case is the question of which skier beats the other.
According to the plaintiff, Gwyneth Paltrow “dangerously” ran him over while skiing before fleeing, leaving him unconscious.
On the contrary, the actress claims it was Terry Sanderson who punched her in the back. Her lawyer asserts that she “wasn’t fast” and that she was frightened when Mr. Sanderson came up behind her.
“He hit her. He hurt her,” the actress’ lawyer, Stephen Owens, said Thursday.
“And he asked her for $3 million after that, just for fun. It’s not fair,” he added.
The trial, which lasted more than a week, uncovered specific details about Mr Sanderson’s health, including pre-existing medical conditions.
Some members of his family also testified to describing a man with a difficult character even before the accident.
At the start of the case, Stephen Owens claimed the optician was “obsessed” with the complaint and that the case was based on “false allegations”.