A young man who participated in the Greek version of the popular show “Survivor” is taking legal action against the program’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 accident occurred while Floros was on Season 13 of Survivor Greece, engaging in spearfishing off the coast of the Dominican Republic on May 11.
According to court documents, Floros was struck by a tourist boat, leading to the amputation of his left leg above the knee and severe injuries to his right leg. Following the incident, Floros was initially treated at a local medical facility before being transferred to a hospital in Miami, where he underwent multiple surgeries and spent over two months recovering. Disturbing images of Floros post-accident were published by TMZ, illustrating the extent of his injuries.
Despite Skai TV, the broadcaster of Survivor Greece, announcing the suspension of the show and offering support for Floros’ treatment and rehabilitation, Floros claims he did not receive adequate care and support from the production company. In a statement to TheWrap, Floros expressed his disappointment, stating that his life had been drastically altered at a young age due to the incident on the reality show.
The lawsuit, filed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, names the production entities behind Survivor Greece, including AcunMedya and Turkish businessman Acun Ilicali, as defendants. The legal documents include testimonies from Floros and other contestants detailing the lack of safety measures during the fishing activity that led to the accident. Floros and another contestant were fishing when the boat collided with him, despite the area being known for heavy boat traffic.
Malliaros, a fellow contestant, recounted that Floros was swimming near the shore when the boat struck him, causing irreversible harm. The lawsuit alleges that the production team failed to take necessary precautions despite the known risks in the area. Floros, in an interview with the Miami Herald, expressed disbelief that such a life-altering event had occurred in the name of a television show.
Floros’ legal representatives have filed the lawsuit in Florida, highlighting the connections of AcunMedya and Ilicali to the state and pointing out decisions made regarding contestant safety from Miami Beach. Floros mentioned being enticed to join Survivor Greece by the show’s ties to Florida and the promised prize of a luxury trip to Miami for the winner. Additionally, it was disclosed that Ilicali visited Floros in the hospital and made offers of support to him and his family.
AcunMedya, the production company behind various international versions of the Survivor franchise, has yet to respond to requests for comment. Aside from Survivor Greece, AcunMedya has produced editions of the show in multiple countries worldwide, demonstrating the global reach of the reality competition series.
