The ongoing legal battle between Gwyneth Paltrow and retired optometrist Terry Sanderson has entered its third day, featuring emotional testimonies, allegations of exaggerated injuries, and disputes over skiing etiquette. Stemming from a 2016 skiing accident in Utah, both parties have offered conflicting accounts of the incident and are seeking damages.
In 2019, Sanderson filed a lawsuit against Paltrow, accusing her of colliding with him from behind while skiing at Deer Valley Resort. He also claimed that a ski instructor accompanying the actress filed a false report stating that Paltrow did not cause the accident. Paltrow denied these allegations and filed a countersuit, asserting that Sanderson had collided with her and was trying to exploit her celebrity status and wealth.
Initially, Sanderson sought $3.1 million in damages but was later restricted to $300,000 by a judge. Paltrow's countersuit seeks $1 and attorney fees. On March 21, Judge Kent R. Holmberg ruled that the jury would not hear arguments about an alleged "hit-and-run," as Sanderson initially claimed in his lawsuit.
Both parties have claimed to be the downhill skier during the incident, which is a crucial detail given skiing etiquette rules that state the person lower down the mountain has the right of way. While Paltrow's lawyer, Stephen Owens, argued that she thought she was being assaulted when Sanderson appeared suddenly behind her, Sanderson's attorney Lawrence Buhler claimed that Paltrow "skied out of control" and collided with Sanderson.
Paltrow's legal team questioned the extent of Sanderson's injuries, suggesting that they have been exaggerated. They pointed out his international travels to 10 countries since the accident and noted that a neuroradiology expert hired by Sanderson's attorneys did not review a 2009 MRI that showed Sanderson had previously sustained brain injuries.
During the trial, clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Alina K. Fong testified via videotaped deposition about her treatment of Sanderson, who complained of cognitive issues, fatigue, mood and personality changes, pain, and headaches. Fong said he had struggled with these symptoms for almost a year and a half when she first saw him in May 2017.
Sanderson's daughter, Polly Sanderson Grasham, gave an emotional testimony about her father's personality and behavior before and after the crash. She said her father had been outgoing and fun-loving before the accident, but a year and a half later, she noticed his "processing speed" had changed, and he was less engaged with people.
Paltrow is expected to take the stand on Friday, as the trial continues to unravel the details of the accident and the extent of the impact on both parties.