Gwyneth Paltrow's accuser claims 3.3 million after their skiing accident

Terry Sanderson, a 76-year-old retired optometrist, says the collision at an upscale resort in the Rocky Mountains (western US) in 2016 broke four ribs and caused lasting psychological damage.

During their closing argument in a court in Utah, Mr. Sanderson's attorneys argued that their client should be compensated for the irreversible brain damage he suffered that is affecting his quality of life.

“These are the most precious years (of a life), when you can enjoy your retirement”, launched Lawrence Buhler, referring to the “golden age” of his client.

< p>According to the lawyer, the jury should consider awarding his client $33 for each hour of the day from the accident until the death of Terry Sanderson, which he estimated could take place in 10 years.

The calculation comes to a sum of “3,276,000 dollars for the 17 years that Terry must deal with this irreversible brain damage”.

The optometrist had launched his lawsuit against the actress, Oscar winner of “Shakespeare in Love” in 2019.

Gwyneth Paltrow in exchange launched other lawsuits, claiming a symbolic dollar and reimbursement of her legal costs.

At the heart of the case, the question of which skier hit the other.

According to the plaintiff, Gwyneth Paltrow ran over him while skiing in a “dangerous” manner, before fleeing, leaving him unconscious.

The actress claims on the contrary that it was Terry Sanderson who hit in the back. Her lawyer assures that she “was not going fast” and that she got scared when Mr. Sanderson appeared behind her.

“He hit her. He hurt her,” the actress’ lawyer, Stephen Owens, said Thursday. It's not fair,” he added.

The trial, which lasted more than a week, saw the presentation of specific details about Mr. Sanderson's health, including on pre-existing pathologies.

Some members of his family also testified to describe a man with a difficult character, even before the accident.

At the beginning of the case, Stephen Owens had claimed that the optometrist was “obsessed” with the complaint and that the case was based on “false allegations”.