The retired optometrist, Terry Sanders, who crashed into Gwyneth Paltrow on a ski slope in 2016 underwent “bootcamp” for his brain injuries but is “still struggling”, a neurologist testified in the high-profile trial taking place in Utah.
Dr Alina Fong was the first witness called to the stand on Thursday in the trial that is also expected to hear from Mr Sanderson’s daughters, Polly Grasham and Shae Herath, as well as Ms Paltrow herself and members of her family.
Mr Sanderson, 76, is suing the Oscar winner, 50, for $300,000 (£245,000) after a violent collision on the beginner slopes of the upmarket Deer Valley resort. His lawyers have alleged she was out of control, slamming into him and then skiing off with her entourage.
Ms Paltrow has countersued for $1 and legal fees, with her lawyers arguing she was not at fault and a member of her team checked on Mr Sanderson who reassured them he was fine after the collision.
During the first two days of trial, Mr Sanderson’s legal team and medical experts have described how his injuries were likely caused by someone crashing into him from behind and led to a noticeable decline in his relationships and quality of life.
In contrast, Ms Paltrow’s lawyers painted Mr Sanderson as trying to exploit her celebrity status, and his decline being due to ageing rather than the crash. Her children with Coldplay singer Chris Martin, Apple Martin and Moses Martin, as well as husband Brad Falchuk are expected to be called to testify. Her lawyers are also expected to question his daughters about Mr Sanderson mentioning her fame in an email and footage on a GoPro camera that has not been included in evidence.
On Thursday, Dr Fong told the court Mr Sanderson underwent 32 hours of treatment each week to help his brain recover from the crash in which he also sustained four broken ribs.
“The treatment was very intensive …. it was a boot camp,” Dr Fong testified. “He was very compliant. Every day he had at least one hour of cognitive therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, neuromuscular therapy, vision … and psychotherapy.”
“And then the rest of those hours were filled with before and after imaging.”
Dr Fong said the injuries are likely permanent and he was “still struggling” despite having worked to recover.
“He worked so hard, he really gave his best effort,” said Dr Fong, who has treated Mr Sanderson for six years. “We noticed some definite improvements but talking to him now, knowing where he is now, it is clear that he’s still struggling.”
“We’re getting to the point, I mean he is 76, and I worry that some of these issues are longstanding,” she said.
“He was someone who didn’t want to be sick and was doing everything he could do to improve where he was at.”
