Gwyneth Paltrow was exonerated of any wrongdoing in the 2016 ski crash with the 76-year-old optometrist Dr. Terry Sanderson The case, which has been followed avidly by the public with a new term, the "courtcore", coined to describe Paltrow's fashion choices, captivated audiences as it offered peeks into the lives of wealthy leisure class who can afford ski vacations and the possibility of powerful people being exposed.
Sanderson had originally sued Paltrow for $3.1 million in damages, but a judge determined that he was only eligible for $300,000 if he had won. Paltrow countered with a request for a dollar plus her legal fees. After a two-hour deliberation, the jury unanimously found Paltrow not liable and awarded her $1 plus legal fees. The jury found that Sanderson had "one hundred percent " of the fault for the collision.
Samantha Imrie, one of the jurors, declared Paltrow's testimony highly credible, stating that Sanderson's claim had been "distorted due to some other factors". Imrie also noted that the photographic evidence showing Sanderson traveling the world after the accident did not help his case. An expert witness discussing logistics of the mountain sport ultimately pushed Imrie towards ruling in Paltrow's favor.
Paltrow's legal fees were estimated to be between $800,000 and $1 million, and could reach up to $700 an hour. Sanderson's homeowners coverage likely will pay some of the legal fees he owes, up to a limit. Paltrow's lawyers must now submit a detailed log of “every task” with “minutes or hours attached to it” before a judge decides the amount Sanderson owes.
At the conclusion of the trial, Paltrow placed a gentle hand on Sanderson's back and said, "I wish you well". This act of kindness midst the trial of a dramatic ski crash is a reminder of the power of compassion and understanding.