A young man who had been a participant in the Greek version of the popular reality show Survivor is taking legal action against the show’s producers following a devastating boat mishap that resulted in the loss of his leg. Stavros Floros, now 22 years old, lodged a $100 million lawsuit in a Florida court on Thursday.
Floros was part of Season 13 of Survivor Greece when the accident occurred during a spearfishing expedition off the coast of the Dominican Republic on May 11. Reports from court documents revealed that a tourist boat collided with Floros, leading to the amputation of his left leg above the knee and causing severe injuries to his right leg. He was promptly taken to a local medical facility before being transferred to a Miami hospital for extensive surgeries and a 61-day recovery period.
TMZ released distressing images of Floros following the incident, illustrating the severity of his injuries. Despite Skai TV, the broadcaster of Survivor Greece, suspending the show immediately and offering assistance, Floros claims he did not receive adequate support from the production company.
The lawsuit, filed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, names AcunMedya, AcunMedya Global, Acun LLC, Turkish businessman Acun Ilicali, and Skai TV’s parent company as defendants. According to court documents, Floros and other contestants were engaging in fishing activities without proper safety measures in an area known for heavy boat traffic. The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of the production for failing to ensure the safety of the contestants.
Malliaros, another contestant, corroborated the account, stating that Floros was close to shore and within sight of a dive marker when the boat struck him. The lawsuit further claims that the boat continued onwards until passengers demanded assistance for Floros. The severed part of Floros’s leg was not recovered, and the incident has left him questioning the rationale behind risking his life for a television show.
Floros’s legal team from Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman filed the lawsuit in Florida, asserting that Ilicali, who made safety decisions from Miami Beach, holds responsibility for contestant safety. Floros mentioned being enticed to join Survivor Greece due to previous seasons being filmed in Florida and the allure of a luxury trip to Miami as part of the prize. Despite receiving an offer of accommodation from Ilicali, Floros maintains he did not receive adequate care and support post-accident.
AcunMedya, the production company behind Survivor Greece and several other international editions of the franchise, did not respond to CBC News’ request for comments. The lawsuit sheds light on the risks faced by reality show contestants and underscores the need for stringent safety protocols in such productions.