Gwyneth Paltrow news: Juror speaks out for first time after verdict in Goop mogul ski crash lawsuit

Actor and Goop founder won a civil lawsuit regarding 2016 ski collision involving retired optometrist Terry Sanderson

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A juror in Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski collision trial spoke out for the first time after the Goop mogul won the high-profile case.

Samantha Imrie told ABC’s Good Morning America that the panel was not influenced by Paltrow’s celebrity when they sided with the Hollywood star.

“The whole thing was a little shocking to me. We did have a unanimous decision. I think it’s important the public doesn’t just think this was a win because Gwyneth is a celebrity,” she said. “It’s based on the evidence and the law.”

On Thursday, jurors returned a verdict in favour of Paltrow, finding that Terry Sanderson, 76, was “100 per cent” at fault over a ski collision at the luxury Deer Valley Resort near Park City, Utah, on 26 February 2016.

Retired optometrist Mr Sanderson, 76, had sued Paltrow claiming she crashed into him leaving him with a permanent traumatic brain injury. Paltrow claimed it was Mr Sanderson who crashed into her.

Jurors heard two weeks of complex testimony by neurology and brain injury experts for both sides. Eyewitnesses, Deer Valley employees, Ms Paltrow’s children Apple and Moses, and Mr Sanderson’s daughters also testified under oath.

During closing arguments, Mr Sanderson’s attorney Lawrence Buhler argued that for 16 hours every day, Mr Sanderson is forced to live with the consequences of his brain injury. Mr Bhuler randomly suggested that jurors considered granting his client $33 per every hour he’s suffered from cognitive decline since the accident seven years ago, and for the ten years he is estimated to live.

Meanwhile, Paltrow’s defence attorney Steven Owens told the court that his client was a “punching bag” for Mr Sanderson and his family throughout the proceedings. “He hurt her and then he asked $3m for the pleasure of it,” Mr Owens said.

After two hours and 20 minutes of deliberation, the jurors sided with Paltrow and awarded her a symbolic $1.

In the aftermath, Paltrow said: “I felt that acquiescing to a false claim compromised my integrity. 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.”

For his part, Mr Sanderson insisted that he stands by his version of events.

Asked what he plans to do now, he joked “maybe Disneyland!” His lawyer Kristin van Orman said he was a “very nice man” who is “suffering”.

Key points

• Gwyneth Paltrow not at fault for ski collision, jury finds
• Gwyneth Paltrow’s attorney shares statement
• Gwyneth Paltrow’s daughter had never seen her so ‘shaken up’ after ski crash
• Gwyneth Paltrow mocked over ‘half a day skiiing’ line

[31 March 2023 04:00 · Andrea Blanco]

Gwyneth Paltrow not at fault for ski collision, jury finds

Jurors found Terry Sanderson was at fault for the collision with Ms Paltrow on the slopes at the luxury Deer Valley Resort near Park City, Utah, back on 26 February 2016.

The decision comes after two weeks of complex testimony by neurology and brain injury experts for both sides. Eyewitnesses, Deer Valley employees, Ms Paltrow’s children Apple and Moses, and Mr Sanderson’s daughters also testified under oath.

The verdict effectively awards Ms Paltrow a symbolic $1.

[31 March 2023 05:00 · Andrea Blanco]

WATCH: Gwyneth Paltrow questioned over friendship with Taylor Swift in ski accident trial

[31 March 2023 06:00 · Andrea Blanco]

Gwyneth Paltrow has been cleared of all fault in a US lawsuit over a 2016 skiing collision, brought by retired optometrist Terry Sanderson.

Following a high-profile two-week trial in Utah, jurors returned a verdict in favour of the Oscar-winning actress after just over two hours.

Mr Sanderson had sued Ms Paltrow over the collision at the Deer Valley ski resort in Utah over seven years ago, which left him with several broken ribs and severe head injuries.

She had denied the claim, and accused Mr Sanderson of crashing into her, resulting in her losing “half a day of skiing” with her family and being “sore”.

On Thursday jurors apportioned “100%” of the blame to Mr Sanderson for the crash, and found him to be responsible for the injuries Ms Paltrow had suffered.

They awarded the actress her “symbolic” counterclaim of one dollar in damages.

Ms Paltrow and Mr Sanderson, who both gave evidence during the trial, were present in court for the verdict.

The actress wore a blue blazer, with a white shirt and brown trousers, and did not appear to react as the verdict was returned, but let out a long breath.

As she exited the courtroom she touched Mr Sanderson on the shoulder and whispered something to him.

She previously said she felt “very sorry” for his health decline following the incident, but maintained she had not been “at fault” and said she had been the “victim”.

Mr Sanderson’s lawyers previously suggested the jury award him damages of more than three million dollars in the case.

AP

[31 March 2023 07:00 · Andrea Blanco]

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The Goop founder has won her ski collision trial, but she drawn just as much attention over her ‘stealth luxury’ wardrobe.

[31 March 2023 08:00 · Andrea Blanco]

Gwyneth Paltrow accuser’s lawyer uses made-up equation to claim actor owes client $33 an hour – $3.2m in total – for ski crash injuries

A lawyer for the man accusing Gwyneth Paltrow of having caused a 2016 ski crash used a made-up equation to claim that the actor owes his client $33 an hour, or $3.2m in total, for his injuries.

But despite his arguments, jurors found Terry Sanderson “100% at fault for the accident.”

[31 March 2023 08:30 · Peony Hirwani]

Watch: Gwyneth Paltrow whispers final message to ski crash accuser after winning lawsuit

[31 March 2023 09:00 · Andrea Blanco]

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[31 March 2023 10:00 · Peony Hirwani]

Watch: Paltrow lawyer says ski crash hurt her attempt to blend families with Brad Falchuck

[31 March 2023 11:00 · Andrea Blanco]

Viral memes, wine-tasting and ‘big girl pants’: Key moments from Gwyneth Paltrow’s ‘hit-and-run’ ski trial

The Oscar-winning actress won her ski collision trial — and plenty of moments went viral.

[31 March 2023 12:00 · Andrea Blanco]

How an online sleuth uncovered a group chat and won case for Gwyneth Paltrow

The messages offered an insight into the reactions of skiers who were on the slopes on the day of the crash.

The Independent’s Andrea Blanco: