A young man who previously appeared on the Greek version of the popular show Survivor is taking legal action against the show’s producers following a tragic boating mishap that resulted in the amputation of his leg. Stavros Floros, now 22 years old, lodged a $100 million lawsuit in a Florida court on Thursday.
Floros was a contestant on Season 13 of Survivor Greece when the incident occurred while he was spearfishing with another participant off the coast of the Dominican Republic on May 11. Court records obtained by CBC News revealed that a tourist boat accidentally hit Floros, causing severe injuries to both his legs, with one leg being severed above the knee.
Following the accident, Floros was swiftly evacuated to a local medical facility and then 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, showcasing the severity of his injuries.
Skai TV, the broadcaster of Survivor Greece, announced the immediate suspension of the show and pledged support to Floros for his treatment and rehabilitation, despite the production being under the responsibility of the Turkish company AcunMedya. However, Floros claims that he did not receive the expected assistance and care from the production team.
In a statement to TheWrap after filing the lawsuit, Floros expressed his disappointment with the lack of support, 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 lawsuit targets AcunMedya, AcunMedya Global, Acun LLC, Turkish businessman Acun Ilicali, and the parent company of Skai TV.
Court documents include testimonies from Floros and fellow participants detailing the events leading up to the accident. The lawsuit alleges that the production failed to implement safety measures despite being aware of heavy boat traffic in the area. Floros and another contestant were engaged in spearfishing activities when the boat collision occurred.
Floros’s life has been dramatically altered by the incident, prompting him to reflect on the consequences of participating in the show. While Survivor Greece shares a name with the long-standing U.S. series, it is an independent production and not affiliated with the American version.
Floros’s legal team from Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman filed the lawsuit in Florida, citing AcunMedya and Ilicali’s connections to the state and emphasizing Ilicali’s involvement in decision-making processes, including contestant safety. Floros was inspired to join Survivor Greece due to the show’s ties to Florida and the enticing prize of a luxury trip to Miami for the winner.
Despite attempts to reach AcunMedya for comment, no response was received prior to publication. In addition to Survivor Greece, AcunMedya is responsible for producing various international editions of the franchise in countries such as Turkey, Mexico, Romania, and Germany.