In December 2016, Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow collided with a skier while skiing in Utah. The incident left the skier, Terry Sanderson, with serious injuries that he claims have “deteriorated” his life. He recently filed a lawsuit against Paltrow for damages. This case raises important questions about the responsibility of skiers and the impact of celebrity culture in the ski industry.
A skiing collision that took place in 2016 has become the subject of a legal battle between actress Gwyneth Paltrow and a retired eye doctor, Terry Sanderson. Mr Sanderson is seeking damages of $300,000 alleging that Ms Paltrow, was at fault for the collision. He claims that the incident left him with a concussion and four fractured ribs, causing emotional and physical distress that led to a deterioration in his ability to function at a high level since the crash. Dr Wendell Gibby testified in court on Wednesday, stating that Mr Sanderson was a bright man who led an active life before the accident but became emotionally volatile and struggled to maintain relationships after the crash.
Dr Gibby noted that Mr Sanderson’s injuries were on his side, which indicated that Ms Paltrow had been skiing downhill and collided into him rather than the other way around. The witness pointed out that had Mr Sanderson been the one running into Ms Paltrow, he wouldn’t have sustained such severe injuries. The defence team for Ms Paltrow claimed that Mr Sanderson had pre-existing conditions, including vision and hearing loss from a stroke, a brain disorder that caused fluid build-up, and occasional depression, which had affected his behaviour and would have been pre-existing regardless of the accident.
However, Dr Sam Goldstein testified that Mr Sanderson’s struggles were an “acute, adverse change in his behavioural and emotional function”. The neuropsychologist affirmed that while Mr Sanderson might have had pre-existing conditions, his difficulties were “the kind of stuff you better understand if you follow someone around for two weeks”.
Ms Paltrow’s legal team has counter sued alleging Mr Sanderson’s claims are “utter BS”. They are demanding $1 in damages plus attorney’s fees. Both Ms Paltrow and her children will testify in her defence later this week. The trial, which began on Monday, is expected to last at least six more days.
Throughout the case, Ms Paltrow’s lawyers and the judge have expressed concerns over reporters’ behaviour in and outside courtrooms. The issue was raised on Wednesday by Ms Paltrow’s counsel, who claimed that reporters were taking photos of her in violation of court decorum. The judge acknowledged the problem and threatened to eject reporters from the court if the issue continued.
In conclusion, the legal saga surrounding the skiing collision of 2016 continues between Gwyneth Paltrow and retired eye doctor Terry Sanderson. Mr Sanderson is seeking $300,000 in damages, alleging that Ms Paltrow was at fault for the collision, while Ms Paltrow’s team claims that Mr Sanderson’s allegations are unfounded.
Both parties have brought forward expert witnesses to support their arguments, with Dr Wendell Gibby testifying on behalf of Mr Sanderson, confirming that there was an adverse change in his client’s ability to function at a high level after the incident. Meanwhile, Ms Paltrow’s legal team claim that Mr Sanderson had pre-existing conditions and that the collision had little to do with the changes that he has claimed to have experienced.
The trial is expected to continue for the next few days, and both Ms Paltrow and her children are scheduled to testify in her defence. The trial has also raised issues around reporters’ behaviour in and outside courtrooms, with the judge threatening to eject reporters taking photos of Ms Paltrow in violation of court decorum.
In conclusion, the story of the skier who ‘deteriorated’ after the Gwyneth Paltrow crash serves as a reminder of the dangers of skiing and the importance of safety precautions. While accidents can happen even to the most experienced skiers, it is crucial to follow the skiing guidelines and wear the proper equipment to prevent serious injuries. This unfortunate incident might have changed the life of the skier forever, but it should also be a lesson for all of us to value our safety on the slopes. Let us hope that this incident leads to more awareness and responsibility when it comes to skiing safety.
