A Nassau County jury has ruled that a volunteer fire department was not liable for injuries to a surgeon who claimed he hurt his hand while climbing into a dunking booth.
Robert Hogan's attorneys said he was climbing inside the booth at a charity event in 2005 when he slipped and hurt his hand on a piece of wire.
In testimony during the trial, Hogan said his pain became so great that he quit performing surgery and closed his medical office in February 2006, calling the decision the toughest he has made since having his father taken off life support.
The doctor had surgical privileges at Baptist Medical Center in Fernandina Beach.
Hogan sued the Gray Gables Volunteer Fire Department, which built the dunking booth.
Dr. Robert Hogan says he was injured after falling in this dunk tank at a charity event. The lawsuit sought damages, claiming the injury caused Hogan to lose his livelihood.
After a two-week trial, the jury ruled on behalf of the fire department, finding no liability.
Clyde Davis, attorney for the fire department, told Channel 4 that Hogan has asked for a new trial, but no ruling has been made on that yet.
Copyright 2008 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
