Wait, why is Gwyneth Paltrow in court?

Right now, actor Gwyneth Paltrow is on trial in Utah. She's been sued for a ski crash that happened in 2016, which is being referred to as a "hit and run".

In 2019, the self-styled wellness guru was sued by a man named Terry Sanderson, who is claiming she "seriously injured" him during a crash at the Deer Valley Resort three years earlier. 

Watch this clip of Gwyneth Paltrow talking about her favourite candle. Post continues after video.

Here's everything we know about the court case. 

What happened? 

According to Sanderson, Paltrow injured him whilst they were out on the slopes and left him on the mountain without any help. 

Paltrow, however, alleges Sanderson actually ploughed into her and then told her that he was fine.

The actor's legal team said it she sustained a "full body blow" and that members of Paltrow's skiing group actually checked in on Sanderson. Her team claims he said he was fine - a statement Sanderson doesn't deny but says he can't remember if that actually happened or not.

Terry Sanderson. Image: Getty.

Sanderson's attorneys are claiming Paltrow was negligent and careless for the injuries that she allegedly inflicted upon the 76-year-old military veteran.

According to reports, he has a brain injury, four broken ribs and other serious injuries - but Paltrow's legal team have cautioned the jury not to have sympathy for him. They have called Sanderson's credibility into question due to both his age and the appearance online of a "very happy, smiling picture" of him riding a toboggan post-crash.

Sanderson is seeking US$300,000 from the lawsuit. He originally sought $3.1 million in his initial suit, but it was dropped.

Who has testified?

So far, the jury has heard testimonies from a radiologist, a neuropsychologist and one of Sanderson's daughters, Polly Grasham. 

Grasham was interrogated earlier this week about GoPro camera footage that went missing. The footage has not been recovered or included as evidence for the trial. 

She was also asked if her father had sued Paltrow simply because she's famous.

Paltrow's attorneys asked neuropsychologist Dr. Alina Fong if she could confirm whether Sanderson's ill health was due to ageing or was evident before the crash.

Radiologist Dr Wendell Gibbye told the jury earlier this week that brain images show it's unlikely that Sanderson crashed into Paltrow. The head trauma suggests another skier crashed into him. 

Right now, it's looking like Paltrow will take the stand later this week, along with more medical professionals and her children, Moses and Apple.

Listen to The Spill, Mamamia's daily entertainment podcast. Post continues after audio. 

What has Gwyneth Paltrow said about the lawsuit? 

In her counterclaim, the wellness brand owner alleges Sanderson ploughed into her from behind. 

She says she was so shaken by the collision that she quit skiing for the rest of the day, and says Sanderson apologised to her and said he was fine.

The actor is seeking "symbolic damages in the amount of $1, plus her costs and attorney’s fees to defend this meritless claim", her lawsuit says. The actress vowed to donate any additional funds potentially awarded by the jury to a charitable organisation.

The trial, which began earlier this week, is set to last for eight days.

Feature Image: Getty/Mamamia.