Topline
Actress and Goop CEO Gwyneth Paltrow is facing trial starting Tuesday in a civil suit regarding a 2016 incident at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah, during which she and another skier collided—here’s what to know about the case.
Actress Gwyneth Paltrow looks on before leaving the courtroom, where she is accused in a lawsuit of … [+]
Key Facts
Terry Sanderson initially sued Paltrow over the incident in 2019 for $3.1 million—he later amended the complaint, ultimately seeking $300,000.
In Sanderson’s suit against Paltrow in state court in Utah, he claimed that she was skiing “out of control” and hit Sanderson, who was 69 at the time, “causing a brain injury, four broken ribs and other serious injuries”; the actress then allegedly “skied away, leaving Sanderson stunned, lying in the snow, seriously injured.”
In response, Paltrow denied that she caused the crash or that she injured Sanderson, claiming in a court filing he “plowed into” her from behind, and said his suit was an attempt “to exploit her celebrity and wealth.”
Paltrow countersued Sanderson, seeking “only symbolic damages in the amount of $1,” plus costs and attorneys’ fees, as her injuries from the incident “were relatively minor”—she pledged that any damages she wins will be donated to charity.
The trial began Tuesday and is scheduled to last eight days, a spokesperson for Park City District Court confirmed to Forbes.
Crucial Quote
In opening arguments on Tuesday, Paltrow’s lawyer called Sanderson’s version of events “utter B.S,” the Associated Press reported.
Key Background
Paltrow, who won an Oscar in 1998 for her performance in Shakespeare in Love, is now best-known for running the high-end wellness site Goop. It received $50 million in series C funding in 2018.The company started as a newsletter and has grown into an online store and destination for information and tips on health and self-care, though it has been criticized for promoting pseudoscience. Last week, Paltrow came under fire for saying in an interview her “wellness routine” consists of drinking broth for lunch and doing intermittent fasting, which some interpreted as her promoting an unhealthy diet. Goop has also hosted retreats and has launched a series on Netflix. Earlier this month, Axios reported Paltrow’s venture capital firm Kinship Ventures was seeking $75 million for its debut fund.
Further Reading
Gwyneth Paltrow’s trial over Utah ski collision begins (Associated Press)
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Venture Capital Firm Aiming To Raise $75 Million, Report Says (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2023/03/21/gwyneth-paltrow-facing-300000-trial-over-ski-accident/