The 2016 ski accident trial involving Gwyneth Paltrow has begun./Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
2023.03.22 Wed posted at 14:55 JST
（ＣＮＮ） The trial in the 2016 ski accident involving actress Gwyneth Paltrow began in a Utah court on Thursday. Ms. Paltrow was present at the scene, and the opening statement was made in court.
Terry Sanderson, 76, who sued Paltrow, said he was seriously injured when Paltrow hit him. The accident happened in February 2016 while both were skiing in the mountains of Utah.
CNN obtained court documents filed by Sanderson in 2019. Among them, Ms. Sanderson was skiing at Deer Valley Resort when Paltrow, who is said to have “lost control”, “crashed violently and suffered brain damage and a rib injury. I suffered serious injuries, including four broken bones.”
It also alleges that Paltrow and her instructor left the scene without treating themselves after the accident.
Paltrow has filed a counter-suit against former optometrist Sanderson, claiming he was the one skiing.
According to the counterclaim, Paltrow was on vacation skiing with her family when the plaintiff, who was on the side of the mountain, ran into her back. Paltrow, who was shocked all over, uttered angry words at the plaintiff, who apologized. A frustrated Paltrow said he had finished skiing for the day, even though it was still early in the morning.
Paltrow appears in court in Park City, Utah.
According to court documents, Ms Sanderson initially sued Ms Paltrow for $3.1 million ($4.1 million at today’s rates), but later amended the lawsuit and now pays $300,000. It is seeking damages in excess of $1.
Paltrow is seeking $1 in damages and attorneys’ fees.
The trial is expected to last about a week. It’s unclear if Paltrow will appear on the witness stand, but lawyers have told jurors they will hear from Paltrow’s family, who were skiing together at the time of the accident.
A representative for Paltrow did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.
