Gwyneth Paltrow is set to face trial on Tuesday in a lawsuit filed by a retired optometrist who accused the Oscar-winning actor of violently crashing into him in 2016 while skiing at an upscale US ski resort.
Terry Sanderson, 76, said Paltrow was cruising down the slopes so recklessly that they collided, leaving him on the ground as the lifestyle influencer and her entourage continued their descent down Deer Valley Resort, a skiers-only mountain known for its groomed runs, apr s-ski champagne yurts and posh clientele.
Gwyneth Paltrow skied out of control, Sanderson's attorneys claim in the lawsuit, knocking him down hard, knocking him out, and causing a brain injury, four broken ribs and other serious injuries. Paltrow got up, turned and skied away, leaving Sanderson stunned, lying in the snow, seriously injured. Sanderson is suing Paltrow for $300,000 in a case that has lasted for years, claiming that the accident in Park City, Utah was a result of negligence and left him physically injured and emotionally distressed.
Park City is a mountain town that hosts the Sundance film festival that draws a lot of celebrities every year.
A central question in the case is who is further down the beginner's run when the collision occurs, as the skier who is downhill has the right of way. Both Paltrow and Sanderson claim in court filings that they were further downhill when the other rammed into them.
Sanderson accused Deer Valley employees of engaging in a cover up by not providing complete information on reports about the accident and not following resort safety policies.
He initially sued for $3.1 m but dropped that demand before amending it to seek $300,000 in damages.
Paltrow, known for roles in Shakespeare in Love and Marvel's Iron Man movies countersuaded, demanded attorney's fees and $1 m in damages.
Paltrow's counterclaimer alleges that Sanderson was actually at fault for the collision that dealt her a full body blow. Her petition accuses Sanderson of exaggerating his injuries and wanting to exploit her fame and wealth, and it says her group checked on Sanderson after the crash.
According to Paltrow's legal team, Sanderson who had 15 documented medical conditions at the time of the crash said he was fine.
The actor's legal team wrote a 2019 court filing in which he demanded Ms Paltrow pay him millions. If she did not pay, she would face negative publicity resulting from his allegations. The trial pitting Paltrow against Sanderson could last longer than a week.