PARK CITY, Utah — Gwyneth Paltrow arrived at Utah court Tuesday as opening statements in the civil trial over a 2016 ski accident were set to begin.
The actress and wellness guru waltzed into Park City Court with a bodyguard just after 8 a.m. local time as she prepared to face off with Dr. Terry Sanderson, who sued her in 2019 claiming that she crashed into him after skiing recklessly and left him with a traumatic brain injury.
Paltrow countersued Sanderson, saying it was the retired optometrist who rammed into her at the Deer Valley Resort.
She is also contesting his central claim that she did a “hit and run” and fled after the crash.
Opening statements from both sides will be presented Tuesday to the jury of eight and two alternates, most of whom raised their hand during the selection process when the judge asked them if they knew who Paltrow was.
Sources close to the Goop founder have told The Post that Paltrow is planning to take the stand in her own defense.
While Sanderson claims the event left him injured with a concussion, broken ribs and permanent brain damage, attorneys for Paltrow have told a story almost completely opposite.
Paltrow claims Sanderson was above her on the slopes when he crashed into her, delivering a “full body blow” to the Oscar-winning actress.
Her lawyers also claim Sanderson had admitted to going partially blind before the accident and had a whopping 15 pre-existing conditions before he rammed into their famous client.
The “Shakespeare in Love” star also says she didn’t flee afterward because she was upset with Sanderson for crashing into her and told him as much.
Sanderson was originally seeking $3.1 million in damages, but a judge ruled he is not entitled to punitive damages, and cut the amount he is allowed to seek by more than 90% to $300,000.
In her countersuit, Paltrow is only seeking $1 in damages and for him to pay her legal fees.
