Gwyneth Paltrow talks with retired optometrist Terry Sanderson, left, as she walks out of the courtroom after the reading of the verdict in their trial, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Park City, Utah. Paltrow won his court battle over a 2016 skiing collision at an upscale Utah ski resort after a jury ruled on Thursday that the movie star was not at fault for the accident. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, Pool)
Internationally acclaimed actress Gwyneth Paltrow will not receive attorney fees for her recent negligence case.
In late March, an eight-person jury unanimously found the ‘Iron Man’ actress was not responsible for a 2016 skiing accident on Bandana Run, the beginner’s trail at Deer Valley Resort in Park City. , Utah.
In a Saturday ruling, Third District Court Judge Kent Holmberg explained that Paltrow’s attorneys and attorneys for the man who sued her for the disputed skiing accident had agreed to drop the matter. – ending the final chapter of the long-running affair.
More Law&Crime coverage: Gwyneth Paltrow’s Skiing Accident Trial Ends With Emotional Closing Arguments, Defense Lawyer Complains Actress Is ‘Bundled With Other Celebrities’
Holmberg’s opinion did not elaborate on why the two sides ultimately reached an agreement, according to The Associated Press.
The ‘Shallow Hal’ actress, 50, was sued by retired optometrist Terry Sanderson, 76, in 2019. He claimed the accident left him with permanent brain damage and various other illnesses. Some of those injuries, like four broken ribs, went unchallenged by Paltrow’s defense team. The actress hotly disputed who caused the accident in the first place. She claimed Sanderson skied directly behind her on that cold February day and cost her a “half day of skiing” and time with her family.
In March, after just two hours and 20 minutes of deliberation, at least six jurors agreed with the actress’ version of events – concluding that Sanderson was 100% responsible for the crash. The verdict was a clean sweep for Paltrow, who won exactly one dollar in damages.
“I felt that acquiescing to a false statement compromised my integrity,” Paltrow said in a statement after the verdict. “I am pleased with the outcome, and I appreciate all of Judge Holmberg’s and the jury’s hard work, and I thank them for their attention in handling this case.”
In his countersuit, Paltrow also asked for attorney’s fees — something jurors didn’t have to decide.
This issue was pushed aside by the court during various sidebars away from the ears of jurors during the eight-day trial. The court itself was to rule on the merits of the claim at a later hearing.
Prior to closing arguments, Holmberg granted motions for directed verdicts, including a defense motion to remove the issue of attorney fees from the table altogether. The court opposed Sanderson’s request for a directed verdict on attorneys’ fees, which are limited to bad faith claims under Utah law.
Who would have won this battle, if it had taken place, will remain an open question.
During the nearly two-week trial, jurors heard from an eyewitness to the crash who claimed Paltrow was at fault. A ski instructor working for Paltrow’s family that day – who admittedly did not see the accident and was named as a defendant in the original lawsuit – blamed Sanderson. Various medical experts testified about the plaintiff’s physical and mental health before and after the accident. Jurors also sat patiently through hours of physical equations of force and speed by dueling math experts.
More Law&Crime coverage: Gwyneth Paltrow’s Skiing Accident Trial Ends With Emotional Closing Arguments, Defense Lawyer Complains Actress Is ‘Bundled With Other Celebrities’
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