A previous participant in Survivor Greece is taking legal action against the show’s producers following a tragic incident at sea that resulted in the loss of his leg. Stavros Floros has filed a lawsuit in a Florida court, seeking $100 million in damages. The accident occurred while Floros, now 22 years old, was engaged in spearfishing off the coast of the Dominican Republic during Season 13 of Survivor Greece.
According to court records obtained by CBC News, Floros was struck by a tourist boat, leading to the severing of his left leg above the knee and causing severe injuries to his right leg. He was promptly taken to a local clinic and later transferred to a Miami hospital, where he underwent multiple surgeries and spent 61 days recovering. Graphic photos of Floros post-accident were published by TMZ, revealing the extent of his injuries.
Despite Skai TV, the broadcaster of Survivor Greece, suspending the show and offering 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 names AcunMedya, AcunMedya Global, Acun LLC, Turkish businessman Acun Ilicali, and the parent company of Skai TV as defendants.
Floros and other contestants detailed the sequence of events in court documents, highlighting the lack of safety measures by the production team despite the known risks of high boat traffic in the area. The lawsuit argues that the production failed to provide safeguards even during non-competitive days, exposing contestants to potential harm during routine activities. Malliaros, another contestant, corroborated the account, emphasizing the commercial nature of the show and the lack of protective measures in place.
Floros expressed profound life-changing consequences from the incident, questioning the prioritization of a game over individuals’ safety. While Survivor Greece is not affiliated with the popular U.S. series, the lawsuit emphasizes the responsibilities of the production team in ensuring contestant safety. Floros’s legal team, Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, filed the lawsuit in Florida, citing the defendants’ ties to the state and alleging decision-making related to safety occurred from a Miami Beach residence.
Allegations were made that Ilicali, a key figure in the production, visited Floros in the hospital and offered accommodations to his family, as depicted in documents no longer available on Ilicali’s Instagram. AcunMedya, responsible for various international versions of the Survivor franchise, did not respond to CBC News’ request for comment.