Man who sued Gwyneth Paltrow says he will appeal

April 7, 2023

It’s not over! Retired optometrist who faces ruin after losing ski crash case against Gwyneth Paltrow says he will APPEAL (hours after claiming lawsuit wasn’t worth it)

Terry Sanderson, the 76-year-old retired optometrist who unsuccessfully sued Gwyneth Paltrow over a 2016 ski accident, said he is already mulling an appeal
When asked if the three-year-long civil claims suit was worth it, Sanderson said ‘absolutely not’ on the steps of the Utah court where Paltrow, 50, was exonerated
The decision marked a painful loss for Sanderson, who, in another blow, was wished well by Paltrow as she left court. He now faces ruin over the costly case

The retired optometrist who unsuccessfully sued Gwyneth Paltrow over a 2016 ski accident said he is already mulling an appeal – hours after telling reporters his yearlong legal was not worth it.

Culminating in a sensational seven-day trial that concluded Thursday, the civil claims case filed by Terry Sanderson was just shot down by a Utah jury.

Lawyers for the 76-year-old – who is facing financial ruin after a costly legal battle with the actress-turned-influencer – had at first demanded $3.1million, but changed his damages demand to $300,000 after his initial complaint was shot down.

The decision marked a painful loss for Sanderson, who was wished well by the A-lister as she left court Thursday. The embarrassing exchange came after the eye doctor’s high-powered attorneys argued the crash at Deer Valley ski resort left him permanently brain-impaired and altered his personality.

At that point, the senior gave a deflated statement conceding he shouldn’t have bothered pursuing legal action against the Goop founder. Now, his lawyers are saying there is still a chance that Paltrow may not come out unscathed.

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Terry Sanderson (right), the 76-year-old retired optometrist who unsuccessfully sued Gwyneth Paltrow over a 2016 ski accident, has announced he is already mulling an appeal – now that he is facing financial ruin after a costly legal battle with the actress-turned-influencer

The decision marked a painful loss for Sanderson, who is seen being wished well by the A-lister as she left court Thursday. His lawyer, Robert B. Sykes (seen at right), said Friday that his office is now considering an appeal

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In an official statement Friday, Robert B. Sykes, Sanderson’s attorney, called last week’s trial a ‘marathon’ – but hinted that another sprint for the finish from him and his team might still be in the cards.

‘The marathon ski collision trial ended yesterday,’ wrote Sykes, roughly 24 hours after Utah jurors unanimously in favor of the Oscar winner, and deemed Sanderson ‘100 percent’ at fault for the incident.

The attorney proceeded to address the rush of comment requests he and his colleagues have seen since seeing their argument that Sanderson’s personality permanently changed after the crash shot down.

‘We are all exhausted and need a rest,’ the attorney said, providing the statement to local outlet 2News. ‘Mr. Sanderson needs to rest today. We have had numerous inquiries and requests for comments, interviews, statements, and the like. We could not possibly accommodate all these requests.

‘In future days,’ he added, ‘Mr. Sanderson may be available to talk to the press. Please respect his privacy and do not try to otherwise contact him.’

The lawyer then hinted of a prospective appeal.

‘As Mr. Sanderson’s attorneys, we are considering all options. This includes a possible Motion for a New Trial, an appeal to the Utah Supreme Court, and other legal options,’ he wrote.

‘These options will be thoroughly explored between the attorneys and Terry Sanderson at a later date. We are grateful for the hard and amazing work by Judge Holmberg, his staff and the bailiffs. We also thank the jury for its service.’

Paltrow, who is worth an estimated $200 million, kept her cool after hearing Holmberg’s verdict Thursday but could not help a subtle smirk shine through – a facial cue snappers quickly captured

The actress left court in Park City having told her opponent Sanderson: ‘I wish you the best’

The singular statement came less than a day after Sanderson told reporters on the Park City courthouse steps that he was ‘very disappointed’ by the jurors’ verdict – but that he should not have bothered pursuing legal action against the fashion influencer

Gwyneth Paltrow has won her case against retired optometrist Terry Sanderson who claimed she caused a 2016 ski collision that left him with him lasting brain damage

Jurors found that Sanderson, 76, was the one to blame for the crash at the posh Utah ski resort. It took just two hours and 20 minutes for the jury to reach their verdict on Thursday

Paltrow’s legal team, led by Stephen Owens, thanked the jury for their service

Another sensational photo-op came when the actress, on her way out of the court, stopped by Sykes and Sanderson to amicably bury the hatchet by patting Sanderson on the back

The singular statement came less than a day after Sanderson told reporters flocked on Park City courthouse steps following Thursday’s bombshell ruling he was ‘very disappointed’ by the jurors’ verdict – which was reportedly arrived at in only a couple of hours.

Appearing exceedingly despondent and somewhat defeated, Sanderson said that he should not have bothered pursuing legal action against the fashion influencer, when asked if the lawsuit was worth it.

‘Absolutely not,’ Sanderson responded curly, speaking to entertainment news outlet Extra of the case, and how his medical history was laid bare to jurors and much of the world during the televised proceedings.

‘Knowing that now, no.’ He joked: ‘It’s like, I’m gonna be on the internet forever.’

In a statement given to reporters days earlier, the optometrist joked about the publicity the lawsuit had gotten, and how he can now ‘never go on another dating site again.’

He said Wednesday, a day before the jury delivered their ruling: ‘It’s the pain of trying to sue a celebrity.’

Televised to millions across the country, the seven-day trial came to its dramatic close Thursday, with Judge Kent Holmberg delivering the final verdict.

It saw Paltrow awarded a symbolic $1 – an amount she had demanded in damages – while appearing somewhat stoic in court.

However, somewhat crucially, she also requested her her legal fees be paid by the Montana born doctor, an amount that, while unknown, could see him bankrupt, as it more than likely stretches into hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Paltrow, who is worth an estimated $200 million, kept her cool after hearing Holmberg’s verdict Thursday but could not help a subtle smirk shine through – a facial cue snappers quickly captured.

Another sensational photo-op came when the actress, on her way out of the court, stopped by Sykes and Sanderson to amicably bury the hatchet.

As she left the courtroom on Thursday, she told him quietly: ‘I wish you well,’ he revealed.

He replied: ‘Thank you, dear.’

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

Paltrow’s legal costs, meanwhile remain unclear – it will depend on the hourly rate for each attorney; the size of their team; how many hours they spent on the case; and how much the experts called to testify were paid.

As mention, an appeal would need Utah Supreme Court. A new trial would only be called if Sanderson’s team can prove that some aspect of their case should be re-examined even after the trial is concluded.

That said, despite facing a bill well into the hundreds of thousands and potential bankruptcy, Sanderson’s finances – while unknown – are far more modest, and he owns a $700,000 home in Salt Lake City.

Sanderson, 76, who was forced to swap ties Wednesday after showing up in a happy face printed neckwear, opted for a more low key choice for the final day of court

Paltrow arrives for court on Thursday after a break as closing arguments were about to begin

Born in Montana, he studied zoology in his home state before training in optometry at Pacific University in Oregon.

For the next 40 years he worked in the remote south eastern Idaho town of Soda Springs, home to 3,000 people, 160 miles north of Salt Lake City.

He had three daughters – Jenny, Polly and Shea.

He retired, and now lives in his one-story bungalow home in Utah’s captial.

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