A young man who had participated in the Greek version of the reality TV show “Survivor” is taking legal action against the show’s producers following a tragic boating incident that resulted in the amputation of his leg. Stavros Floros, aged 22, has filed a lawsuit in a Florida court demanding $100 million in damages.
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. Unfortunately, a tourist boat collided with Floros, causing severe injuries to both of his legs, with his left leg being amputated above the knee.
After the accident, Floros was promptly taken to a local medical facility and later 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, revealing the extent of his injuries.
Skai TV, the broadcaster of Survivor Greece, announced the suspension of the show and offered assistance to Floros for his treatment and rehabilitation. However, Floros claims he did not receive the expected support from the production company.
In a statement to TheWrap after filing the lawsuit, Floros expressed his disappointment, 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.” The legal action targets AcunMedya, AcunMedya Global, Acun LLC, Turkish businessman Acun Ilicali, and the parent company of Skai TV.
The court documents include accounts from Floros and other contestants detailing the circumstances leading to the accident. The lawsuit alleges that the production team failed to implement safety measures despite the known risks posed by heavy boat traffic in the area. Floros and another contestant were engaged in spearfishing when the incident occurred, with the collision taking place in the morning of May 11.
Floros highlighted the significant impact the incident had on his life, questioning whether such a life-altering event was justified for a TV show. Survivor Greece, although sharing the name with the U.S. series, is not affiliated with it and has its own distinct production.
Floros’s legal representatives have filed the lawsuit in Florida, citing the ties of AcunMedya and Ilicali to the state and alleging that key decisions, including contestant safety, were made from Miami Beach. The lawsuit also mentions Ilicali’s personal involvement, including a visit to Floros in the hospital and offers of accommodation to his family.
Despite attempts to reach AcunMedya for comment, no response was received. Besides Survivor Greece, AcunMedya oversees various international versions of the franchise in countries such as Turkey, Mexico, Romania, and Germany.