Stavros Floros — a former contestant on the Greek edition of Survivor — is suing the show after losing most of his leg in an on-set spear-fishing accident.
The then-21-year-old was filming the show in the Dominican Republic when a tour boat’s propeller struck him, resulting in the partial amputation of his left leg and significant injury to his right ankle.
“I want the world to know the truth: that I went onto a reality show and ended up with only one leg at 22 years old, having felt like I was slowly dying,” Floros said in a statement to TheWrap.
“I want people to know that they didn’t look after us, that I haven’t received the proper support from the production company, and that no matter what happens, you must always keep your head held high and keep faith in God.”
The lawsuit, filed in Miami, claims that the show's producers, Acun Medya, and Greek broadcaster Skai TV knowingly put contestants in danger ahead of the incident. Floros is seeking $100 million in damages.
“The Production knew, or in the exercise of reasonable care should have known, of the heavy and dangerous boat traffic in this area and of the risk it posed to cast members fishing and diving there, and nonetheless failed to take any corrective action,” the lawsuit claims.
Floros spent 61 days hospitalized in Miami and underwent multiple surgeries, according to his legal team.
“This is an egregious matter where a young and successful influencer has been left with catastrophic permanent injuries as a result of the callous disregard for safety by a large multi-national production company entrusted to produce the show Survivor,” attorney Jason Margulies said.
“We see heartbreaking events like this more and more often. When huge companies take shortcuts and cut corners to maximize profits, it often comes at the cost of public safety, which is absolutely unacceptable.”
Representatives for AcunMedya and Skai TV did not immediately respond to The Independent’s request for comment.
AcunMedya said at the time that an investigation was ongoing and that the incident occurred during a break in filming.
“According to the information available so far, the accident appears to have happened when a tourist boat injured the contestant while he was spearfishing outside the competitive process of the reality show,” the company’s statement read.
“From the very first moment, there was an immediate response to provide assistance and safely transport the injured contestant, while the competent port authorities are investigating the causes of the incident in order to fully determine the circumstances.”
SKAI Television, the Greek television station that airs Survivor Greece, suspended broadcasts of the competition series following the incident, according to Greek news site eKathimerini.
“Despite the fact that the production of Survivor is carried out exclusively under the control and responsibility of AcunMedya, SKAI is closely monitoring developments on the participant’s health and will contribute in every possible way to his treatment, as well as to any hospitalization and rehabilitation care that may be required,” the station said in a statement obtained by the outlet.
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