Man who sued Gwyneth Paltrow says ski crash case was not worth it

News

By Nika Shakhnazarova

April 1, 2023 | 4:33am

The retired optometrist, who unsuccessfully sued Gwyneth Paltrow over a 2016 Utah ski crash, said filing the lawsuit was simply not worth it.

Terry Sanderson, 76, said he shouldn’t have bothered pursuing legal action against the Goop founder, telling reporters outside the courtroom that he was “very disappointed” to lose the case.

When asked if the lawsuit was worth it, Sanderson responded with a clear-cut, “Absolutely not.”

This was perhaps after personal details from his private life, medical history, and testimonies from his daughters and ex-girlfriend were aired out in the courtroom.

“Knowing that now, no,” he said, according to a video from Extra. “I joked about dating sites, right? It’s like, I’m gonna be on the internet forever.”

Sanderson previously said the lawsuit means he can now “never go on another dating site again. It’s the pain of trying to sue a celebrity.”

The doctor sued Paltrow in 2019 for $3.1 million, claiming the crash at the Deer Valley ski resort left him brain-impaired and damaged his relationships with others.

After a judge dismissed his initial complaint, Sanderson refiled for $300,000.

Paltrow countersued for $1 — plus her likely six-figure legal fees — which the jury awarded her as they agreed the actress was not liable for the crash.

The actress, 50, smiled and waved at photographers outside the court, capping a wild eight-day trial that grabbed international headlines for everything from the Oscar winner’s Jeffrey Dahmer-style glasses to her off-the-wall remarks.

As Judge Kent Holmberg delivered the verdict Thursday, the Oscar winner maintained her composure before letting a subtle smile poke through.

“We’re pleased with the outcome and appreciate the judge and jury’s consideration,” Paltrow’s attorney, Steven Owens, said in a statement outside the courtroom.

“Gwyneth has a history of standing up for what’s right and this situation is no different. She will continue to stand up for what’s right,” he added.

A statement was also released by Paltrow’s representatives on her behalf. 

“I felt that acquiescing to a false claim compromised my integrity,” Paltrow said. “I am pleased with the outcome and I appreciate all of the hard work of Judge Holmberg and the jury, and thank them for their thoughtfulness in handling this case.”