A young man who participated in the Greek version of the popular reality show “Survivor” has taken legal action against the show’s producers following a traumatic boating incident that resulted in the amputation of his leg. Stavros Floros, 22, filed a lawsuit in a Florida court seeking $100 million in damages. The incident occurred while Floros was part of Season 13 of Survivor Greece, where he was spearfishing with another contestant 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, severing his left leg above the knee and causing severe injuries to his right leg. He was initially treated at a local medical clinic before being transferred to a hospital in Miami, where he underwent multiple surgeries and spent 61 days in recovery. Shocking photos of Floros post-accident were released by TMZ, showcasing the extent of his injuries.
Skai TV, the broadcaster of Survivor Greece, announced the immediate suspension of the show after the incident and pledged support for Floros’ treatment and rehabilitation. However, Floros claims that he did not receive the expected assistance from the production company and decided to take legal action.
In a statement to TheWrap, Floros expressed his disappointment with the lack of support and care he received after the life-altering 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.
The court documents include testimonies from Floros and other contestants detailing the events leading up to the accident. Floros highlighted the lack of safety measures during the fishing activity and the presence of high-speed boat traffic in the area. Similarly, fellow contestant Emmanouil Malliaros noted the casual attitude towards the safety of the cast members, emphasizing their portrayal as mere entertainment.
Floros’ legal team, represented by the firm Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, filed the lawsuit in Florida, alleging that AcunMedya and Ilicali’s connections to the state influenced critical decisions concerning contestant safety. Floros mentioned being enticed to join Survivor Greece due to the show’s history of filming in Florida and the promise of a luxurious trip to Miami for the winner.
In response to inquiries, AcunMedya did not provide a comment before the publication deadline. Besides Survivor Greece, AcunMedya is associated with various international versions of the franchise in countries like Turkey, Mexico, Romania, and Germany.