Gwyneth Paltrow lawsuit: Doctor says there's 'no evidence' skier 'faked' crash injuries

The court heard how injuries suffered by the claimant could not plausibly have been caused by him crashing into Gwyneth Paltrow, as James Lewer reports

There is "no evidence" the skier who crashed with Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow "faked" his injuries, a court heard on Thursday.

Terry Sanderson, a retired optometrist, has alleged that in 2016, Ms Paltrow "recklessly" crashed into him at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah, leaving him with broken ribs and long-term brain damage.

Lawyers representing Mr Sanderson, who is suing Paltrow for the collision, have also claimed his injuries could not have been caused by him crashing into her.

Ms Paltrow has denied any wrongdoing and insisted that she was further down the beginner's slope, giving her right of way when the incident occurred.

Mr Sanderson is suing Ms Paltrow for $300,000 (£244,000), while she in turn is countersuing for $1 (81p) and attorney fees.

Day three of the hearing, on Thursday, began with video evidence from neuropsychologist Dr Alina Fong, who has been treating Mr Sanderson since 2017.

She said he had presented “a myriad” of symptoms indicative of having suffered a concussion.

Dr Fong added that there was no evidence “whatsoever” that Mr Sanderson was “faking” his injuries and he had been “an ideal patient”.

She said: “Terry came to my clinic around 201… and he worked so hard, he really gave his best effort and we noticed some definite improvements,” she said.

“But talking to him now it is still showing clearly that he is still struggling.

“We are getting the point now, he’s 76… (and) I do worry that some of these issues may be long-standing.”

In her video deposition, Dr Alina Fong challenged the opinions of other medical experts employed by Gwyneth Paltrow’s defence.

“It is really easy to criticise someone from that far away and it’s a totally different beast when you’re in the trenches with that patient and trying to get them out,” she said.

On Wednesday, Dr Wendell Gibby, a radiologist testifying for Mr Sanderson, said brain images suggested the 76-year-old's head trauma was likely caused by a skier crashing into him, supporting his claims that he was hit by Ms Paltrow.

He said the lasting effects on Mr Sanderson's overall health were consistent with the severity of the collision.

Mr Sanderson's two daughters are set to give evidence later on Thursday.

They are expected to testify about the lasting effects the collision has had on their father, and be questioned about Mr Sanderson mentioning Ms Paltrow's fame. They will also be quizzed about an email alluding to footage, recorded on a Go Pro camera, which has not been found or included in evidence.

Neurologist Richard Boehme and Ms Paltrow herself could also be called to testify on Thursday, in addition to Mr Sanderson's daughters.

Meanwhile, Ms Paltrow's legal team have worked to paint Mr Sanderson as an elderly man whose decline followed a normal course of aging, rather than as a result from crashing into their client.

They have not yet called witnesses of their own to testify, but in opening statements previewed for jurors, they plan to call Ms Paltrow's husband, Brad Falchuk, and her two children, Moses and Apple.

The trial is expected to last into next week.

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