A former participant from the Greek version of the popular reality show Survivor is taking legal action against the show’s creators following a tragic boating incident that resulted in the amputation of his leg. Stavros Floros has filed a lawsuit in a Florida court, seeking $100 million in damages.
Floros, who is currently 22 years old, was taking part in Season 13 of Survivor Greece when the accident occurred while he was spearfishing with another contestant in the waters near the Dominican Republic on May 11. Court records obtained by CBC News reveal that Floros was struck by a tourist boat, causing severe injuries to both his legs, with his left leg being amputated above the knee.
After the accident, Floros was promptly taken to a local medical facility and later transferred to a hospital in Miami, where he underwent numerous surgeries and spent 61 days recovering. Graphic images of Floros post-accident were published by TMZ, showcasing the extent of his injuries.
Skai TV, the broadcaster of Survivor Greece, announced the immediate suspension of the show and offered support to Floros for his treatment and rehabilitation, despite the production being the responsibility of the Turkish company AcunMedya. However, Floros claims that he did not receive adequate support from the production company.
In a statement to TheWrap after initiating the lawsuit, Floros expressed his disappointment with the lack of care and support he received, stating that his life took a drastic turn due to the incident on the reality show.
The legal action, filed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, targets AcunMedya, AcunMedya Global, Acun LLC, Turkish businessman Acun Ilicali, and the parent company of Skai TV. The court documents include testimonies from Floros and other contestants detailing the events leading up to the accident.
Floros and his fellow contestant were engaged in fishing activities in the open sea, as required by the show’s format, without any safety measures despite the high boat traffic in the area. The lawsuit alleges that the production team failed to implement necessary precautions, leading to the tragic incident on a day not designated for competition challenges.
Malliaros, another contestant, mentioned that it was common for tourist boats to come close to the shore, viewing the show’s participants as entertainment. He recounted the events surrounding the accident, highlighting the lack of immediate assistance from the boat that struck Floros.
Floros expressed disbelief that such a life-altering event occurred in the context of a reality show. Despite sharing a name with the long-standing U.S. series Survivor, Survivor Greece is an independent production and is not affiliated with the American version.
Floros’s legal representatives from Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman filed the lawsuit in Florida, emphasizing the connections of AcunMedya and Ilicali to the state and alleging that decisions affecting contestant safety were made from Miami Beach. Floros mentioned that the allure of past seasons filmed in Florida and the prize of a luxury trip to Miami influenced his decision to participate in Survivor Greece.
AcunMedya, in addition to Survivor Greece, produces various international editions of the franchise, including versions in Turkey, Mexico, Romania, and Germany. Despite attempts to reach AcunMedya for comment, no response was received by CBC News at the time of publication.