Lawsuit: Man broke his leg while hypnotized at comedy show

OMAHA, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- An Omaha man's lawsuit against a comedy club alleges he broke his leg while under the trance of a performing hypnotist.

The lawsuit alleges William Bendorf, 38, attended the Doug T Hypnosis Show at the Funny Bone Comedy Club in Omaha March 21, 2014, and was an audience participant called up on stage to be hypnotized by performer Doug Thompson.

Richard Shicker, Bendorf's attorney, said Thompson believed the volunteers had been snapped out of their hypnotic states, but the plaintiff "was still under" the trance when he was told to return to his seat.

"When he said 'Go back to your seats,' [Bendorf] looks out in the audience, sees an empty chair and walks toward it. He walks right off the stage," Shicker told the Omaha World-Herald.

The fall broke Bendorf's leg, Shicker said.

"It was very painful -- and it continues to be painful for him," Shicker said. "He was in that zone -- that sort-of unconscious state. He didn't snap out of it until he crashed to the ground."

"It was definitely a rude awakening," Shicker said.

The Funny Bone Comedy Club has 30 days to respond to the lawsuit. A manager at the club did not respond to the World-Herald's call for comment.

Thompson's website says he takes measures to ensure the safety of participants in his shows.

"I always respect each and every volunteer and never will let them spew out personal information or go past a certain point on stage," the website states.