Paltrow wins US$1 ski crash compensation
LOS ANGELES - Gwyneth Paltrow has won her ski crash case and has been awarded the US$1 (about R18) she wanted in compensation.
The Oscar-winner (50), who has a net worth of about US$200 million, counter-sued retired army optometrist Dr Terry Sanderson (76), for the ‘symbolic’ amount after he sparked their two-week court case by suing her for US$300 000 over their 2016 collision on slopes at the Deer Park Resort, Utah, where the actress was holidaying with her family. An eight-member jury ruled at Park City Court in Utah on Thursday, after a deliberation of only two hours, 20 minutes, Dr Sanderson - who claimed the accident left him with permanent brain damage - was responsible for the accident.
Damages
Dr Sanderson first filed for damages in January 2019 and was initially seeking US$3.1 million before a judge slashed it to US$300 000 in compensation for the injuries he allegedly sustained. He had claimed during the case, which started on March 24, and saw eight days of fiery - and sometimes bizarre - testimony he was left suffering “permanent traumatic brain injury, four broken ribs, pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress and disfigurement.” The former medic told the court: “I just remember everything was great and then I heard something I’ve never heard at a ski resort, and that was a blood-curling scream.
Control
“I got hit in my back so hard … right at my shoulder-blades, and the fists and the poles were right there at the bottom of my shoulder-blades, serious, serious smack… never been hit that hard.” Paltrow blamed Dr Sanderson for the crash and denied she had turned and skied away from the scene, with her team saying her ski instructor was on the scene and assisted the former doctor.