NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. -- A Nassau County surgeon who said he hurt his hand while volunteering in a dunking booth for a charity event has filed a lawsuit against the volunteer fire department that built the contraption.

Doctor Robert Hogan's attorneys said nearly two years ago, Hogan was climbing inside the booth when he slipped and hurt his hand on a piece of wire. The injury caused him to quit performing surgery.

The doctor had been operating at Baptist Medical Center in Nassau, where he had privileges.

Hogan took the stand in the trial on Wednesday to explain how the injury has affected his life.

"I have to try my best to redefine my life, otherwise it's not a life," said Hogan

On the stand he said his life would never be the same since he tried to climb into the dunking booth in 2005.

He said he agreed to get into the booth as part of a cancer charity event.

"As I was falling, I quickly grabbed and tried to and I missed. That's what caused that slicing laceration," Hogan said.

The doctor said his pain became so great that in February 2006 he quit performing surgery and closed his medical office, calling the decision the toughest he has made since having his father taken off life support.

On cross-examination the defense questioned Hogan's status in late 2005, saying the doctor had been board certified and was about to lose his privileges at Baptist.

"So, is your testimony here today that the board of surgery was going to certify you before the summer of 2006?" said the defense attorney.

"No," Hogan said.

"So, you were not going to be certified by the summer of 2006?" said the defense.

"That's not true either," Hogan said.

"So, you were going to be certified by the summer of 2006?" the defense said.

"No," Hogan replied.

Hogan has not filed suit against the hospital. He is suing the Gray Gables Volunteer Fire Department, which built the dunking booth.

He is expected to return to the witness stand on Thursday. The trial will last into next week.