A young man who appeared on Survivor Greece is taking legal action against the show’s producers following a tragic boating incident that resulted in the loss of his leg. Stavros Floros, 22 years old at the time, filed a lawsuit in a Florida court seeking $100 million in damages. The accident occurred while Floros was participating in Season 13 of Survivor Greece, engaged in spearfishing off the coast of the Dominican Republic on May 11.
According to court records obtained by CBC News, Floros was struck by a tourist boat, leading to the amputation of his left leg above the knee and causing severe injuries to his right leg. He was initially treated at a local medical facility before being transferred to a Miami hospital, where he underwent multiple surgeries and spent over two months in recovery. Disturbing images of Floros post-accident were published by TMZ, showcasing the extent of his injuries.
Following the incident, 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 upon filing the lawsuit, Floros expressed his disappointment at the lack of care and support provided, stating that his life had been dramatically altered by the accident. 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.
Court documents include testimonials from Floros and other contestants detailing the events leading up to the accident. Floros highlighted that the show’s format required contestants to engage in open-ocean fishing activities without sufficient safety measures in place, despite the known risks of high-speed boat traffic in the area.
Malliaros, a fellow contestant, recounted that the boat struck Floros while he was near the shore, prompting the passengers to demand assistance from the operator. The severity of the situation was underscored by the fact that Floros’s severed leg was not recovered. The lawsuit also emphasizes AcunMedya and Ilicali’s connections to Florida, alleging that decisions affecting contestant safety were made from Miami Beach.
Floros’s decision to participate in Survivor Greece was influenced by the show’s previous ties to Florida and the promise of a luxury trip to Miami as part of the prize. Despite purported offers of assistance from Ilicali, Floros claims he did not receive the expected support during his recovery. CBC News attempted to contact AcunMedya for comment but did not receive a response.
Apart from Survivor Greece, AcunMedya is involved in producing various international versions of the Survivor franchise in countries such as Turkey, Mexico, Romania, and Germany.