High Point Firefighters Sued Over Bathroom Floor

BROOKSVILLE - For years, allegations of incompetence have swirled around the band of retirees that make up High Point's volunteer fire department.

But the source of the first lawsuit filed against them might surprise you.

On Monday, it was not an irate homeowner suing but a man who allegedly fell through the bathroom floor of the department's headquarters at 8008 Baltic St.

James Roy required shoulder surgery after he plunged through the caved-in floor up to his chest, his lawyer, Jim Magazine, said Tuesday.

That surgery has limited his lifting ability and forced him to hire more help for his power washing business, Magazine said.

"Basically, he has got a ton of medical bills," said Magazine, who declined to give any specific figures. A claim has to be for more than $15,000 if it's filed in circuit court.

High Point Fire Chief Rob Paul said he has forwarded the suit to the department's insurance company.

"We're not the least bit concerned about it," he said and gave a bit of Roy's history with High Point by way of explanation.

Roy was hired as an instructor to certify the firefighters, but it was discovered after six weeks that Roy did not have the authority to be teaching the class, Paul said.

He also attempted to take over the department and become chief, but the coup failed and Roy left in a huff, Paul said.

The lawsuit "is a result of that," Paul said.