Survivor Greece Contestant Files $100M Lawsuit After Leg Amputation
Survivor Greece contestant Stavros Floros has filed a $100 million lawsuit against Acun Medya and SKAI TV after losing his leg to a tourist boat propeller during filming in the Dominican Republic.
A shocking incident occurred during the filming of Survivor Greece in the Dominican Republic, where 22-year-old contestant Stavros Floros was severely injured by a tourist boat while spearfishing. The accident resulted in the amputation of his left leg and severe injuries to his right leg. Floros has now filed a massive lawsuit seeking over $100 million in damages.
Tragedy off Saona Island
The accident took place on May 11 during a break in the show's production. Floros and fellow contestant Emmanuel Maliaros entered the water near Saona Island to spearfish for food. During their dive, a tourist boat carrying approximately 20 passengers entered the area.
According to the lawsuit, Maliaros spotted the approaching vessel and warned Floros, who attempted to swim out of its path. However, the boat's propellers struck both of his legs. A passenger on the boat applied a life-saving tourniquet, but Floros's severed left leg could not be recovered from the water.
Floros was subsequently airlifted to Miami, where he spent 61 days in the hospital undergoing multiple surgeries. The lawsuit notes that Floros was about 10 meters away from a diving buoy and less than 100 meters from the shoreline when he was hit. Maliaros testified that the boat initially fled the scene and only returned after passengers demanded the operator go back to help.
Allegations of Production Negligence
The lawsuit claims that the show's producers were well aware of heavy boat traffic in the area but allowed contestants to fish in open waters without safety measures. Spearfishing was not a leisure activity but a necessity, as producers provided limited food rations, forcing contestants to forage for themselves.
Despite this, the production team failed to establish protected fishing zones, provide safety boats or professional supervisors, or place adequate warning markers for passing vessels.
Stavros Floros shared his ordeal with TheWrap:
"I want the world to know the truth: I went onto a reality show and ended up with one leg at age 22, after feeling like I was slowly dying. I want people to know they did not keep us safe, and I did not receive proper support from the production."
His attorney, Jason Margolis, stated:
"When large corporations cut corners and slash expenses to maximize profits, they often do so at the expense of public safety, and that is completely unacceptable."
Lawsuit Filed in Florida
The lawsuit was filed on September 3 in the Miami-Dade County Court in Florida. The defendants include production companies Acun Medya, Acun Medya Global, and Acun LLC, Turkish media mogul Acun Ilicali, and the Greek broadcaster SKAI TV.
Acun Medya confirmed the accident but emphasized that it occurred outside the active filming of the competition. The company stated that they reacted immediately to provide emergency medical assistance and transport.
Following the incident, SKAI TV suspended the broadcast of Survivor Greece. The network stated that while Acun Medya held full operational responsibility, they would continue to monitor Floros's recovery and contribute to his rehabilitation. The lawsuit seeks over $100 million for past and future medical expenses, as well as physical and psychological damages.
