A young man who appeared on the Greek version of the popular TV show “Survivor” has taken legal action against the program’s producers following a tragic boating incident that resulted in the amputation of his leg.
Stavros Floros, now 22, lodged a $100 million lawsuit in a Florida court after the accident occurred during Season 13 of Survivor Greece while he was spearfishing with another contestant off the coast of the Dominican Republic on May 11. Court documents revealed that a tourist boat collided with Floros, causing severe injuries to both his legs, with one leg being amputated above the knee.
After the incident, Floros was initially treated at a local medical facility before being transferred to a Miami hospital where he underwent multiple surgeries and spent over two months in recovery. Distressing images of Floros post-accident were published by TMZ, showcasing the extent of his injuries.
Skai TV, the broadcaster of Survivor Greece, halted the show’s production to extend support to Floros and assist with his rehabilitation, despite the production responsibility lying with AcunMedya, a Turkish company. However, Floros claimed that he did not receive adequate support from the production team.
In a statement to TheWrap, Floros expressed his disappointment over the lack of care he received, stating, “I went onto a reality show and ended up with only one leg at 22 years old, having felt like I was slowly dying.”
Accusing the producers of negligence, Floros filed the lawsuit against AcunMedya, AcunMedya Global, Acun LLC, Turkish businessman Acun Ilicali, and Skai TV’s parent company. The legal action highlighted the absence of safety measures despite the known risks posed by heavy boat traffic in the area.
Malliaros, another contestant who witnessed the incident, recounted the events leading up to the collision, emphasizing the lack of protective measures for the contestants engaged in fishing activities. Following the accident, the boat purportedly continued its journey until passengers insisted on returning to aid Floros.
Floros expressed disbelief over the life-altering consequences of the incident, questioning the justification for risking lives in the name of entertainment. Despite sharing a name with the long-standing U.S. series, Survivor Greece operates independently and is not affiliated with the American version.
The lawsuit, filed by Floros’s legal team at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, targeted AcunMedya and Ilicali, citing their ties to Florida and alleging that critical decisions, including contestant safety, were made from Ilicali’s Miami Beach residence. Floros also mentioned a personal visit from Ilicali during his hospitalization, along with offers of accommodation for his family.
While attempts were made to seek a response from AcunMedya, no comments were received at the time of publication. AcunMedya is known for producing various international adaptations of the Survivor franchise, including editions in Turkey, Mexico, Romania, and Germany.