A young man who participated in the Greek version of the popular TV show “Survivor” is taking legal action against the show’s creators following a tragic boating incident that led to the amputation of his leg. Stavros Floros, now 22 years old, has filed a $100 million lawsuit in a Florida court.
During Season 13 of Survivor Greece, Floros was involved in a spearfishing activity off the coast of the Dominican Republic on May 11. Court records reveal that Floros was struck by a tourist boat, resulting in the severing of his left leg above the knee and causing severe injuries to his right leg. He was promptly taken to a local medical facility and later transferred to a hospital in Miami, where he underwent multiple surgeries and spent 61 days recovering.
Images published by TMZ depicted the extent of Floros’s injuries post-accident. Skai TV, the broadcaster of Survivor Greece, announced the suspension of the show and extended support to Floros for his treatment and rehabilitation, despite the production responsibility falling on Turkish company AcunMedya.
In his lawsuit, Floros claims inadequate support from the production team following the incident. He emphasized feeling neglected and expressed disappointment over the lack of care provided by the production company. The legal action targets AcunMedya, AcunMedya Global, Acun LLC, Turkish businessman Acun Ilicali, and the parent company of Skai TV.
The court documents include statements from Floros and other contestants detailing the events leading up to the accident. It was highlighted that contestants were required to engage in fishing activities without adequate safety measures in place, despite the known heavy boat traffic in the area.
Floros’s life took a drastic turn due to the incident, prompting him to question the purpose of risking his safety for a reality show. Survivor Greece, distinct from the long-standing U.S. series, has faced scrutiny over contestant safety protocols. AcunMedya, the production company behind several international versions of the show, including those in Turkey, Mexico, Romania, and Germany, has not responded to requests for comments on the matter.
Floros’s legal team, from the firm Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, filed the lawsuit in Florida, citing AcunMedya’s connections to the state and alleging that decisions affecting contestant safety were made from Ilicali’s Miami Beach residence. Floros also mentioned being influenced to join Survivor Greece by the show’s ties to Florida and the promised luxury trip to Miami for the winner. Additionally, Floros claimed that Ilicali visited him in the hospital and offered accommodation to his family.