A young man, Stavros Floros, who participated in the Greek version of the popular show “Survivor,” has taken legal action against the show’s producers following a tragic incident involving a boat that resulted in the amputation of his leg. Floros, aged 22 at the time, was taking part in Survivor Greece Season 13 when the accident occurred while spearfishing with another contestant off the coast of the Dominican Republic on May 11. Court papers reveal that a tourist boat collided with Floros, causing severe injuries to both his legs, with his left leg being amputated above the knee.
Floros was promptly taken to a local medical facility and later transferred to a hospital in Miami for extensive medical treatment, including multiple surgeries and a 61-day recovery period. Disturbing images of Floros post-accident were published by TMZ, showcasing the severity of his injuries.
Skai TV, the broadcaster of Survivor Greece, announced the immediate suspension of the show and pledged support for Floros’ treatment and rehabilitation, acknowledging the primary responsibility of the production company, AcunMedya. However, Floros claims that the support promised was lacking, expressing his disappointment in the production company’s handling of the situation.
In a statement to TheWrap, Floros voiced his grievances, stating that his life took an unexpected turn due to the incident during the reality show, emphasizing the lack of proper care and support from the production team. The lawsuit, filed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, names AcunMedya, AcunMedya Global, Acun LLC, Acun Ilicali, and the parent company of Skai TV as defendants.
The legal documents include testimonies from Floros and other participants detailing the events leading to the accident. Allegations in the lawsuit indicate the absence of safety measures by the production team despite the known risks of high-speed boat traffic in the area. The incident occurred during a non-competition day when contestants were engaged in survival tasks, not challenges.
Malliaros, a fellow contestant, recounted the circumstances surrounding the accident, revealing the proximity of Floros to the shore and the subsequent actions taken by the boat’s passengers. Floros expressed profound life-altering consequences from the incident, questioning the justification of such risks for a television show.
Floros’ legal representatives, Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, highlighted ties between the defendants and Florida, claiming that crucial decisions, including contestant safety measures, were made from Miami Beach. Floros disclosed his motivation to participate in Survivor Greece, citing previous seasons filmed in Florida and the allure of a luxury trip to Miami as part of the prize. Despite interactions with Ilicali, who visited him in the hospital and offered accommodation, Floros remains dissatisfied with the support received.
While AcunMedya remains unresponsive to CBC News inquiries, the production company is known for its involvement in various international editions of the Survivor franchise, including those in Turkey, Mexico, Romania, and Germany.