A $100 million lawsuit filed by Survivor Greece contestant Stavros Floros has made explosive allegations about the reality show’s production, including claims that castaways were supplied with cocaine and marijuana after a horrific accident that left him without a leg.
Floros, 22, says he was spearfishing for food while filming Survivor Greece in the Dominican Republic when a tourist boat struck him on May 11.
According to the lawsuit, the boat’s propeller completely severed his left leg and severely injured his right leg.
A tourniquet applied after the accident is alleged to have saved his life.
Floros was initially taken to a local clinic before being medically evacuated to the United States. He ultimately spent around two months in a Miami hospital, undergoing multiple operations before doctors amputated his left leg above the knee.
The young Greek contestant is now suing Acun Ilicali, Acun Medya, Acun Medya Global, Acun LLC and Greek broadcaster Skai TV, seeking $100 million in damages.
The lawsuit alleges the production failed to provide adequate safety measures despite the area being heavily used by tourist boats.
According to the filing, Floros and fellow contestant Emmanouil Malliaros had entered the water after their team won a competition for a speargun.
They were reportedly around 100 yards from shore when Malliaros spotted a boat heading directly toward Floros.
He allegedly shouted a warning, but the vessel did not slow down or change course.
The lawsuit states that the boat’s propellers struck both of Floros’s legs. His left leg was severed and was never recovered from the water.
The vessel allegedly continued moving before tourists on board demanded that the operator turn around.
Floros was then pulled onto the boat, where a tourniquet was reportedly applied.
Explosive allegations after the accident
The most serious allegations in the lawsuit concern what allegedly happened after the accident.
Floros claims production continued operating and filming the show following the incident.
The lawsuit further alleges that remaining contestants were provided with cocaine and marijuana to calm them down after witnessing the horrific injury.
These claims are allegations contained in Floros’s lawsuit and have not been established in court.
The filing also alleges that producers sent representatives to the Dominican Republic to manage the aftermath and influence how the incident was portrayed.
Floros’s legal team claims production maintained control over the remaining contestants despite the accident.
Claims of serious safety failures
The lawsuit argues that contestants were placed in a potentially dangerous maritime environment without adequate protection.
It alleges there were no dedicated safety boats, spotters or personnel assigned to warn approaching vessels while contestants were fishing.
The filing also claims another contestant had previously experienced a near miss involving a boat that allegedly severed a dive flag.
It further points to the death of a 15-year-old girl who was struck by a vessel in the same area in February 2023.
Floros’s lawyers argue the production should have been aware of the dangers because Survivor Greece had reportedly been filmed in the region since 2018.
Floros ultimately declared the winner
Despite suffering the catastrophic injury, Floros was declared the winner of the season, according to the lawsuit.
The filing alleges that his victory was based on the circumstances surrounding his injury rather than the competition continuing normally.
Malliaros was awarded second place.
However, the lawsuit claims Malliaros was allegedly asked to sign a document stating that the competition had ended on May 10, one day before Floros’s accident.
Malliaros allegedly refused because he believed the statement was untrue and insisted that any agreement accurately reflect that the competition was still underway when the accident occurred.
Floros’s lawsuit describes this as part of an alleged attempt to limit the defendants’ potential liability.
Production company disputes circumstances
Acun Medya previously issued a statement saying the accident occurred while Floros was spearfishing outside the competitive part of the reality show.
The company said assistance was provided immediately and that the contestant was transported to safety, while Dominican port authorities investigated the circumstances.
Floros says he is taking legal action because he wants the public to know what happened.
“I went onto a reality show and ended up with only one leg at 22 years old. I want people to know that they didn’t look after us,” he told the Daily Mail.
His attorney, Michael Winkleman, described the case as an extraordinary survivor story and said his legal team would pursue justice for Floros.
The lawsuit accuses the defendants of maritime negligence and conspiracy to commit fraud.
The allegations remain subject to legal proceedings, and the defendants have not been found liable by a court.
Source: Daily Mail
