A young man who previously appeared on the Greek version of the popular TV show Survivor has taken legal action against the show’s creators following a devastating boating incident that resulted in the amputation of his leg. Stavros Floros, 22 years old at the time, is pursuing a $100 million compensation claim in a Florida court.
During Season 13 of Survivor Greece, Floros was involved in a spearfishing activity with another contestant off the coast of the Dominican Republic on May 11. Court records from CBC News reveal that Floros was struck by a tourist boat, leading to the severe injury of his legs, with one leg being amputated above the knee.
After the accident, Floros was transported to a nearby medical facility and later moved to a hospital in Miami where he underwent multiple surgeries and spent 61 days recovering. Graphic images of Floros following the incident were published by TMZ, showcasing the extent of his injuries.
While Skai TV, the broadcaster of Survivor Greece, suspended the show immediately and offered support to Floros for his treatment and rehabilitation, Floros claims in his lawsuit that he did not receive adequate care and support from the production company.
The legal action filed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court targets AcunMedya, AcunMedya Global, Acun LLC, Turkish businessman Acun Ilicali, and the parent company of Skai TV. The lawsuit alleges that the production failed to implement safety measures despite being aware of the high boat traffic in the area.
Floros and other cast members provided statements detailing the sequence of events leading up to the accident. Floros pointed out that there were no safety precautions in place during the fishing activity, which took place outside of the regular competition challenges. The court documents also mention that the boat collision occurred while Floros was near a dive marker and close to the shoreline.
Floros expressed dismay at the life-altering consequences of the incident, questioning the necessity of risking his well-being for a television show. Despite sharing the name, Survivor Greece is not affiliated with the long-running U.S. series Survivor, which recently aired its 50th season.
The legal proceedings implicate AcunMedya and Ilicali, alleging their ties to Florida and asserting that key decisions, including those related to contestant safety, were made from Miami Beach. Floros revealed that his decision to join Survivor Greece was influenced by previous seasons being filmed in Florida and the promised luxury trip to Miami for the winner.
Efforts to reach AcunMedya for comment were unfruitful. Apart from Survivor Greece, the production company is responsible for various international adaptations of the show in countries like Turkey, Mexico, Romania, and Germany.
