Wendell Harlan Gibby, a neuroradiologist in Provo, Utah, testified on behalf of a plaintiff who is suing actress Gwyneth Paltrow for “life-altering” injuries he sustained during a skiing accident in 2016. 

Specifically, Gibby’s testimony is in regard to how the plaintiff, 76-year-old retired optometrist Terry Sanderson, sustained his injuries, which included broken ribs and head trauma resulting in a concussion. This detail is of particular importance in the trial because both Paltrow and Sanderson allege that they are the victims of the collision, with Paltrow claiming that Sanderson ran into her and vice versa. 

Dr. Gibby analyzed numerous imaging exams of the plaintiff to get the full picture of Sanderson’s injuries from both an anatomical and functional standpoint. Based on Gibby’s assessment of the injuries, he suggested that it had to have been Paltrow who collided with Sanderson, not the other way around. 

“Based upon the pattern of injuries that are present here, what I believe happened is that he was struck from the left side and that forced him into the ground,” Gibby told the courtroom. “It’s also been the testimony here that Ms. Paltrow was on top of him at some point, so the combined weight of the two individuals slamming into the ground caused the fracture and the head injury.” 

Gibby added that he does not believe it would be plausible for Sanderson to have broken his ribs where he did if he were the one who had collided with Paltrow. 

“In terms of a frontal collision, had he run into Ms. Paltrow I don’t think he would have had these types of injuries,” Gibby said 

Sanderson is suing Paltrow for $300,000 in damages in what his lawyers have described as a “hit and run” skiing accident, as Paltrow did not call for help, but instead left the scene, after the collision occurred. Doctors who have treated the plaintiff report that his post-concussive symptoms have caused him rapid deterioration.