In 2016, did Gwyneth Paltrow knock over a man on a ski slope, seriously injure him and then flee? The 76-year-old claims that and demands a lot of compensation from the Hollywood star. It's about $300,000, which Paltrow has no intention of paying. He wasn't the victim, she was. The process started yesterday.

The accusation is not new. The retired doctor had already filed a lawsuit in 2019 because the actress is said to have knocked him over on a slope in the US posh ski resort of Park City. According to the court documents, she drove recklessly on the slope, got "out of control" and crashed into him from behind, seriously injuring him. Among other things, he reported broken ribs and a brain injury that he suffered from the collision. He claims Paltrow didn't help him, instead driving off.

All of this was "complete nonsense," Paltrow's lawyer made clear in his opening speech yesterday. Paltrow is a "cautious skier". It was not her, but the man himself who caused the accident. He was driving behind Paltrow on the runway and had to swerve to avoid the collision. The execution corresponds to the statement made by Paltrow's ski instructor at the time, which the plaintiff has described as false in the past.

The incident happened during a family skiing holiday. In addition to the actress' two children, Apple was 11 at the time and Moses 9 years old, Paltrow's current husband, Brad Falchuk, and his children were also on site. As Paltrow's attorney announced, both Falchuk and Paltrow's children will testify in court. The 50-year-old herself is also striving to testify on the witness stand, as the "New York Post" claims to have learned from anonymous sources.

3.1 million dollars in damages, that is the amount that the 76-year-old originally demanded. Since a judge has meanwhile rejected some of the allegations, the court is now dealing with a maximum compensation amount of 300,000 US dollars. Paltrow, who was present at the start of the trial in Utah, has filed a counterclaim. In addition to the court costs, she is demanding symbolic damages of one dollar.

Eight jurors are required to make a decision in the trial. You all know who Paltrow is. The process is expected to take about a week, US media reported.

Source: People, New York Post, with dpa material