22 March 2023 , 20:27
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The injuries sustained by a retired doctor who collided with Gwyneth Paltrow while skiing could not 'plausibly' have been caused by him crashing into her, a court has heard.
According to radiologist Dr Wendell Gibby, who examined Mr Sanderson in the aftermath of the crash in Utah in 2016, the 76-year-old's injuries showed "typical hallmarks" of a traumatic brain injury.
He added his condition "deteriorated abruptly" following the incident at the Deer Valley Resort.
Mr Sanderson is seeking damages of $300,000 (£246,000) for "a brain injury, four broken ribs and other serious injuries" in the civil lawsuit.
Paltrow, meanwhile, has filed a counter-claim and is seeking legal fees and damages of $1 (82p).
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The Oscar-nominated actress was present on Wednesday as jurors heard testimony from the radiologist.
Dr Gibby told the court that Mr Sanderson would have “protected himself” if it was him who had been colliding with Ms Paltrow head on.
Dr. Wendell Gibby testifies (Rick Bowmer/AP/REX/Shutterstock)Dr Gibby said: "I think it’s very unlikely that this would have been caused by Terry running into Gwyneth Paltrow.
"Based on the stated testimony of the defendant, of (witness) Craig Ramon, and the pattern of injuries that are present… what I believe happened was that he was struck from the left side and that forced him into the ground.
"The combined weight of the two individuals slamming into the ground caused the fracture and the head injury."
He continued: "I don’t think it would be plausible that if he were running into her he would have broken the ribs on the side of his chest – he likely would have had his arms extended, he would have protected himself.
"Had he been the person running into her, I don’t think he would have sustained these types of injuries."
Dr Gibby added that prior to the incident, Mr Sanderson had been "a very high-functioning, high-energy person".
"But after his accident he deteriorated abruptly and many of the activities he was doing he stopped doing," he told the court.
Dr. Wendell Gibby points to rib fractures on Terry Sanderson's X-ray (AP)As he continued, he said: "His personal interactions with his children and grandchildren suffered and he had trouble multi-tasking… Those are all typical hallmarks of someone who has had a traumatic brain injury.
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"I think that the ability to function at a high level was lost for Terry… many of the things that gave him pleasure in life seem to have been abruptly diminished by this injury."
It was said that Ms Paltrow might take testify on day two of the case, which is expected to last up to eight days.
On day one of the trial, jurors heard the testimony of Mr Ramon, who had been skiing with Mr Sanderson and was present in the aftermath of the collision.
Mr Ramon said he had seen a skier, later identified as Paltrow, "slam" into Mr Sanderson and later "bolt" down the hill "without saying a word". The trial continues.