1. Geeslin v. Bryant Intentional Torts

2. Geeslin v. Bryant Plaintiff - Bill Geeslin: Insurance Agent - Blytheville, Arkansas Defendant - Kobe Bryant: Professional Basketball Player; NBA

3. Geeslin v. Bryant Incident occurred November 14, 2005 FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee NBA Basketball Game - Memphis Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Lakers

4. Geeslin v. Bryant Bill Geeslin brought Tennessee state law (intentional) tort claims of assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress against professional basketball player Kobe Bryant.

5. The Incident

6. Assault and Battery Tort requires an intentional act that causes bodily contact that is unpermitted, harmful, or offensive. Alleges that Bryant “without provocation, violently struck Mr. Geeslin with his elbow, causing the injuries and damages” (Geeslin v. Bryant, 2011).

7. Assault and Battery Geeslin was not able to present evidence “distinguishing injury caused by his initial contact with Bryant, from any injury caused by what Geeslin has described as Bryant’s intentional forearm, after the collision” (Geeslin v. Bryant, 2011).

8. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress Tort Requires: (1) intentional or reckless conduct (2) conduct so outrageous it is not tolerated by a civilized society (3) a serious mental injury resulting from the conduct (Geeslin v. Bryant, 2011)

9. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress After the incident, Geeslin described symptoms including anxiety and sleeplessness. Geeslin was not able provide necessary evidence of severe mental injury.

10. Summary Judgment & Settlement District Court granted Bryant’s motion for Summary Judgment. The purpose of summary judgment is to avoid unnecessary trials. However, a trial can sometimes still be necessary to determine the amount of damages. Can also simplify a trial, when partial summary judgment comes with certain issues or claims

11. Judgment & Settlement Case was set to go to jury trial, but on the day the jury trial was set to begin, both parties reached a confidential settlement of the case.

12. Future Professional Application ALWAYS have proper assumption of risk and liability release waivers in place. Ensure that events & programs have safe spectator seating

13. Citation GEESLIN v. BRYANT, 453 Fed. Appx. 637, 2011 WL 6415119 (C.A.6 2011)