Gwyneth Paltrow arrived in a US court on Tuesday as opening statements in the civil trial over a 2016 ski accident were set to begin.
The actor and wellness guru walked into Park City Court, Utah, with a bodyguard just after 8am local time (1am AEDT, Wednesday) 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 Dr Sanderson, saying it was the retired optometrist who rammed into her at the Deer Valley Resort, 54km east of Salt Lake City, reported the New York Post.
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 on 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 founder of the controversial Goop beaut y and wellness firm have told The Post that Paltrow is planning to take the stand in her own defence.
While Dr Sanderson claimed 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 Dr Sanderson was above her on the slopes when he crashed into her, delivering a “full body blow” to the Oscar-winning actor.
Her lawyers also claim Dr Sanderson had admitted to going partially blind before the accident and had 15 pre-existing conditions before he rammed into their famous client.
The Shakespeare in Love star also says she didn’t flee afterwards because she was upset with Dr Sanderson for crashing into her and told him as much.
Dr Sanderson was originally seeking $4.7 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 per cent to $450,000.
In her countersuit, Paltrow is seeking $1.50 in damages and for him to pay her legal fees.
This story first appeared in the New York Post and is reproduced with permission.