PARK CITY, UT – Gwyneth Paltrow and the man who broke four ribs after they collided at a Utah ski resort seven years ago are expected to testify Friday in a trial over his claims that the movie star’s recklessness caused his concussion and long-term physical injuries. damage.
Paltrow and Terry Sanderson, a retired optometrist who is suing her, are expected to answer questions about the crash as their lawyers battle to convince the 10-person jury who was at fault in the collision and who had the upper hand as a skier who descended further. Paltrow claims that Sanderson is responsible for the disaster.
The trial, Judge Kent Holmberg and lawyers for both sides agreed, will last eight days, with each side presenting four witnesses, with Friday marking the last day Sanderson’s lawyers can get Paltrow to testify. Paltrow’s team is expected to call medical experts, ski instructors and her two children, Moses and Apple, next week.
So far, the lawsuit has focused on Park City, Utah — a posh ski town known for rolling out celebrity red carpets for the Sundance Film Festival every January — and Deer Valley Resort, where Paltrow and Sanderson skied on Friday, Feb. years ago. The resort is one of the most upscale in North America, known for its sunny slopes, champagne yurts and well-appointed lodges.
The trial delved into the 76-year-old’s medical history and personality, with lawyers questioning whether his declining health and estranged relationship were the result of the encounter or a more innate phenomenon, such as aging or anger issues.
The court touched on topics ranging from skiing etiquette to the power – and burden – of celebrity. The amount of money at stake for both sides pales in comparison to the typical legal costs associated with years of litigation, private security and a difficult trial involving expert witnesses.
Sanderson claims Paltrow carelessly crashed into him while they were skiing on the beginner slopes at Deer Valley Resort, breaking his ribs and causing a concussion. He demands “more than 300 thousand dollars”. Paltrow countersued for $1 and attorney’s fees.
Attorneys for Paltrow, the actor-turned-influencer, spent much of Thursday raising questions about Sanderson’s references to her wealth and celebrity and his “obsession” with the lawsuit.
The first three days of the trial through Thursday included testimony from medical experts, Sanderson’s personal doctor, a fellow skier and his daughter, who said she noticed post-concussion symptoms less than a year after the accident and knew something was wrong.
Paltrow’s lawyers have questioned Sanderson’s medical experts and asked whether his previous comments suggested the lawsuit could be an attempt to exploit her fame and celebrity. Her attorneys asked her daughter Sanderson on Thursday if her father thought it was “cool” to run into a celebrity like Paltrow, the Oscar-winning star of “Shakespeare in Love” and the founder and CEO of lifestyle brand Goop.
