Gwyneth Paltrow stepped up on Friday to testify in a civil trial. Paltrow is being sued by a retired ophthalmologist, who is suing the actor for injuries sustained in a ski collision.
The civil suit stems from a 2016 incident at Deer Valley Resort where the two collided on a ski slope. Terry Sanderson, 76, broke four ribs in the accident and originally sued Paltrow for more than $3 million, an amount that has been reduced to $300,000 in damages, claiming she was “out of control” and snitched on him. Paltrow, 50, disputed $1 and attorney fees, alleging that Sanderson caused the accident.
Lawyers for both sides tried to prove whether Sanderson or Paltrow was the uphill skater – A point of etiquette on the slopes can also identify who is at fault.
The first few days of testimony in what is expected to be an eight-day trial also focused on Sanderson’s health. Eyewitnesses, including his doctor and his daughter, testified about medical problems, including symptoms of brain injury.
Rick Bomer/AP
Friday’s testimony opened with continuing testimony from neurologist Dr. Richard Boehm, who continued his expert testimony from Thursday via videoconference about Sanderson’s previous brain injury and post-concussion symptoms.
Next up was friend and fellow avid skater Mark Herath, who testified that after the accident Sanderson, who was a “great talker”, became disoriented, unable to follow conversations, and frustrated and angry as a result. Herat testified that he became paranoid, which affected their friendship.
“You can only take Terry in small doses now,” he said.
Paltrow’s attorneys also questioned whether there was a GoPro video of the collision, and asked Sanderson’s daughter about emails between the two discussing the footage. Paltrow, the Oscar-winner who founded the wellness company Goop, claimed her fame helped spur the lawsuit.
