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Gwyneth Paltrow is reflecting on her 2023 ski accident lawsuit. In a recent interview with The World’s First Podcast, the actress described her legal battle with optician Terry Sanderson as “ridiculous” and shared why she decided to counter-sue.
“It was ridiculous,” she said on the podcast. “That’s why I felt like I had to fight it. I was like, ‘I’m not going to be shaken down here.’ I’m not doing that.” Paltrow shared her anger at the fact that Americans can sue for situations like this.
“I have to say, the idea that someone could ski into your back and knock you down and then sue you,” Paltrow said. “I was like, ‘This is everything that’s wrong with our legal system.’ ”
The crash in question occurred in 2016 at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah. Sanderson filed suit in 2019, and the trial went down in 2023. Sanderson sued Paltrow for $3.1 million and alleged she was at fault for a concussion, broken ribs, and a traumatic brain injury.
He later reduced the amount he was seeking to $300,000. Paltrow, who claimed Sanderson was at fault — and even screamed at him in court, “You skied directly into my effing back.” She infamously testified that she “lost half a ski day” because of the crash. The juryultimately declaredthe trial in her favor. The trial spawned a documentary and a stage musical.
“I felt that acquiescing to a false claim compromised my integrity,” Paltrow said following the conclusion of the trial. “I am pleased with the outcome and I appreciate all of the hard work of Judge Holmberg and the jury, and thank them for their thoughtfulness in handling this case.”
