Gwyneth Paltrow‘s ski crash trial has officially ended in Park City, Utah, after eight days of testimony, and the jury came back with a decision that awarded her a massive settlement — not in terms of money, but in terms of integrity.
Paltrow was accused in a civil trial of reckless skiing and crashing into retired Dr. Terry Sanderson at the Deer Valley Resort in 2016, after which Sanderson alleged he suffered brain damage that severely impacted his quality of life. He claimed that the accident turned him into a “recluse,” which was heavily argued in court as several photos of his vacations and trips around the world were made public. Not only was he traveling, but Sanderson was also doing so seemingly unharmed and without a severe loss of ability, something he claimed the accident caused.
While Sanderson alleged that Paltrow was the one who crashed into him, the actress said that he was the one who crashed into her, causing her to miss half a day of skiing. While she said she could sympathize with Mr. Sanderson, she refused to take the blame for causing the accident.
“I was hit by Mr. Sanderson and he was at fault. I feel very sorry for him. It seems like he’s had a difficult life. But I did not cause the accident so I cannot be at fault for anything that subsequentally happened to him.”
In an Instagram story, Paltrow shared that she is very grateful for the hard work and thoughtfulness of the jury and Judge Holmberg in the case. While some made light of the situation, for years, Paltrow felt that someone was attacking her name and character, and this moment in court allowed her to move past a situation that kept her complacent.
In addition to a statement from Paltrow, her legal team also shared their gratitude for the outcome and for allowing their client to advocate for what she believes in — the truth.
“We are pleased with this unanimous outcome and appreciate the judge and jury’s thoughtful handling of the case. Gwyneth has a history of advocating for what she believes in – this situation was no different and she will continue to stand up for what is right.”
Walking away from the trial feeling like she didn’t take a step backward in her integrity was a big point of Paltrow’s passion in this trial; she just wanted the truth to come out. Fox News reports that after the trial, Paltrow and Sanderson shared words with one another.
Touching Sanderson on the shoulder, Paltrow wished him well; his response was a simple, “Thank you dear.”