Skier ‘deteriorated’ after Gwyneth Paltrow crash, court hears

A retired eye doctor has lost “the ability to function at a high level” since a 2016 skiing collision with Gwyneth Paltrow, a court in Utah heard.

Terry Sanderson was a “high-energy person”, but “deteriorated abruptly” after the crash, Dr Wendell Gibby testified.

Sanderson, 76, claims the Hollywood actress caused the collision. He is seeking damages of $300,000 ($244,000).

Paltrow, 50, has countersued over what her lawyers say is “utter BS”.

The Oscar-winner and lifestyle influencer is seeking $1 in damages plus attorney’s fees.

Both she and her children are expected to take the stand later this week in her defence.

Sanderson – whose initial lawsuit seeking $3.1m was dismissed – lost consciousness after the February 2016 incident at Deer Valley resort in Utah, suffering a concussion and four fractured ribs, according to his legal action.

On Wednesday, lawyers for the retired optometrist called Gibby, a neuroradiologist who has extensively reviewed Sanderson’s medical records.

The witness claimed that Sanderson was a bright man who had led an active life, but had become emotionally volatile and struggled to maintain relationships with those in his life – all of which happened after the crash.

“Terry had been a very high-functioning, high-energy person”, who skied, volunteered, danced and interacted frequently with his children and grandchildren, said Gibby.

“After his accident, he deteriorated abruptly and many of the activities he used to do he stopped doing.”

He pointed to Sanderson’s split from his girlfriend, struggles with problem-solving and incidents in which he shouted at his grandchildren.

“The ability to function at a high level was lost,” he said.

Gibby also noted that Sanderson’s rib injuries were on his side, suggesting that Ms Paltrow had been skiing downhill and slammed into him – rather than the other way around.

“Had he been the person running into her, I don’t think he would have sustained these types of injuries.”

Paltrow’s lawyers argue Sanderson is to blame for the accident and that he had several medical conditions before the collision, including vision and hearing loss from a stroke; a brain disorder that caused excessive fluid build-up; and occasional depression.

The trial is expected to last at least six more days.