A young man who previously appeared on the Greek version of the popular reality show “Survivor” has taken legal action against the show’s creators following a tragic boating incident that resulted in the loss of his leg. Stavros Floros, now 22, has filed a lawsuit in a Florida court seeking $100 million in damages.
The incident occurred while Floros was participating in Season 13 of Survivor Greece, where he was engaged in spearfishing with another contestant off the coast of the Dominican Republic on May 11. According to court records obtained by CBC News, a tourist boat collided with Floros, causing severe injuries, including the amputation of his left leg above the knee and significant harm to his right leg.
Floros was promptly brought ashore and then transferred to a local medical center before being transported to a hospital in Miami, where he underwent multiple surgical procedures and spent 61 days recovering. Graphic images of Floros post-accident published by TMZ vividly depict the extent of his injuries.
Although Skai TV, the broadcaster of Survivor Greece, announced the suspension of the show immediately and extended support to Floros for his treatment, the contestant claims in his lawsuit that he did not receive adequate care and support from the production company.
In a statement to TheWrap following the lawsuit filing, Floros expressed his disappointment, stating, “I want people to know that they didn’t look after us, that I haven’t received the proper support from the production company.” The legal action targets AcunMedya, Acun LLC, Turkish businessman Acun Ilicali, and the parent company of Skai TV.
The court documents detail accounts from Floros and fellow contestants regarding the events leading to the accident. It is alleged in the lawsuit that the production team failed to implement safety measures despite the known risks of heavy boat traffic in the area. The incident occurred during a non-competition day when contestants were engaged in survival activities.
Malliaros, another contestant, revealed that Floros was struck by the boat while spearfishing near the shore and that the vessel only returned to assist after passengers insisted. Despite immediate efforts to aid Floros, his severed leg could not be recovered. The life-altering event has left Floros questioning the significance of the accident within the context of a reality show.
Floros’s legal representatives have filed the lawsuit against AcunMedya and Ilicali in Florida, citing their connections to the state and alleging that decisions affecting contestant safety were made from Miami Beach. The contestant was enticed to join Survivor Greece due to its ties to Florida and the promise of a luxury trip to Miami for the show’s winner.
AcunMedya, responsible for various international editions of the Survivor franchise, has not responded to CBC News’ request for comments on the situation. Apart from Survivor Greece, the production company oversees versions of the show in multiple countries, including Turkey, Mexico, Romania, and Germany.