A young man who participated in Survivor Greece is taking legal action against the show’s producers following a severe boating incident that resulted in the amputation of his leg. Stavros Floros, 22, has filed a lawsuit in a Florida court seeking $100 million in damages. The accident occurred while Floros was spearfishing with another contestant off the coast of the Dominican Republic during Season 13 of the Greek version of Survivor.
Court documents reveal that a tourist boat collided with Floros, causing the amputation of his left leg above the knee and significant injuries to his right leg. Following the accident, Floros was taken to a local medical facility before being transferred to a hospital in Miami, where he underwent multiple surgeries and spent 61 days in recovery. Graphic photos of Floros post-accident were published by TMZ, depicting the extent of his injuries.
Skai TV, the broadcaster of Survivor Greece, announced the immediate suspension of the show and pledged support for Floros’ treatment and rehabilitation. However, Floros claims he did not receive adequate care and support from the production company. In a statement to TheWrap, Floros expressed his disappointment and highlighted the lack of proper assistance from the producers.
The lawsuit, filed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, names AcunMedya, AcunMedya Global, Acun LLC, Turkish businessman Acun Ilicali, and the parent company of Skai TV as defendants. The legal documents include testimonies from Floros and other contestants detailing the events leading up to the accident.
Floros and his fellow cast members were engaged in fishing activities as part of the show’s format, without necessary safety measures in place despite the presence of heavy boat traffic. The incident occurred while Floros and another contestant were spearfishing in the morning, with the collision happening between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
Malliaros, another contestant, recounted that tourist boats often approached the shore where the contestants were, viewing them as entertainment. He mentioned a close call involving another contestant and a passing boat before Floros was struck. Malliaros described the chaotic aftermath of the collision and the efforts made by tourists on the boat to assist Floros.
Floros expressed profound changes in his life due to the incident, questioning the sacrifices made for a reality show. Despite sharing a name with the U.S. series Survivor, Survivor Greece is not affiliated with the American version. The lawsuit accuses the production company of negligence and lack of safety protocols, leading to Floros’ life-altering injury.
Floros’ legal team filed the lawsuit in Florida, citing the defendants’ ties to the state and alleging that crucial decisions regarding contestant safety were made from Miami Beach. Additionally, Floros revealed that he was enticed to join Survivor Greece by the show’s history of filming in Florida and the promise of a luxury trip to Miami for the winner. AcunMedya, the production company behind several international editions of Survivor, including Turkey, Mexico, Romania, and Germany, has not responded to CBC News’ requests for comment.