A young man who previously appeared on Survivor Greece is taking legal action against the show’s producers following a tragic boating incident resulting in the amputation of his leg. Stavros Floros, aged 22, filed a lawsuit in a Florida court seeking $100 million in damages. The accident occurred while Floros was participating in Season 13 of the show, engaged in spearfishing off the coast of the Dominican Republic on May 11. Court documents reveal that Floros was struck by a tourist boat, resulting in the severing of his left leg above the knee and significant injuries to his right leg. After being initially treated at a local clinic, Floros was transferred to a Miami hospital where he underwent extensive surgeries and a 61-day recovery process.
TMZ published graphic images depicting Floros’ injuries post-accident. Skai TV, the broadcaster of Survivor Greece, announced the immediate suspension of the show and pledged support for Floros’ treatment and rehabilitation, despite the production responsibilities lying with AcunMedya, a Turkish company. In his lawsuit, Floros claims inadequate support from the production team, stating, “I entered a reality show and emerged at 22 with one leg, feeling like I was slowly fading away.” The legal action targets AcunMedya, AcunMedya Global, Acun LLC, Turkish businessman Acun Ilicali, and the parent company of Skai TV.
Floros and fellow contestants were expected to engage in fishing activities as part of the show’s format, even though safety measures were reportedly lacking in the presence of heavy boat traffic. The incident occurred during a non-competitive day, with contestants performing survival tasks. Witnesses reported that Floros was struck by a boat while swimming near the shore, leading to life-altering consequences. Survivor Greece, though not affiliated with the popular U.S. series Survivor, remains under scrutiny for the lack of safety protocols during filming.
Floros’ legal representatives from Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman filed the lawsuit in Florida, emphasizing the connections of AcunMedya and Ilicali to the state. Floros mentioned being influenced to participate in Survivor Greece due to previous seasons being filmed in Florida and the promise of a luxury trip to Miami for the winner. Allegations include claims that Ilicali, from his Miami Beach residence, made critical decisions regarding contestant safety. Despite attempts to reach AcunMedya for comment, there has been no response. AcunMedya, known for producing international versions of Survivor, operates in various countries, including Turkey, Mexico, Romania, and Germany.