Jury Sides with Gwyneth Paltrow in Ski “Hit-and-Run” Lawsuit

A jury in Park City, Utah, has sided with Gwyneth Paltrow in a lawsuit against retired optometrist Terry Sanderson, who accused the actor and lifestyle mogul of a ski “hit-and-run” that he said caused him serious, long-lasting injuries.

The trial, which began on March 21, saw each party providing nearly opposite accounts of the 2016 collision at the upscale Deer Valley Resort. Sanderson, 76, claimed Paltrow skied into him, causing him to suffer broken ribs and lasting brain damage, while Paltrow, 50, said it was actually Sanderson who skied into her.

The jury’s decision protects Paltrow from having to pay Sanderson $300,000 in damages ― a relatively small figure compared to the $3.1 million he originally sought in his claim.

Attorneys presented their closing arguments on Thursday, after which the case was sent to the jury for deliberations. The decision could set a legal precedent affecting millions of skiers and snowboarders.

The trial was not only a legal battle, but also a spectacle of watching the Oscar-winning actress and businesswoman recount the incident. Paltrow’s legal team argued that Sanderson was skiing recklessly and that the actor had no way of avoiding the collision.

The jury’s decision in favor of Paltrow brings the trial to a close.