Survivor Greece contestant Stavros Floros has sued the show for $100 million after a boat propeller severed his leg during filming, according to a lawsuit obtained by E! News on September 3.
Floros, 22, filed the suit nearly four months after losing his leg in a boat accident during production, claiming the conditions under which he and other contestants were made to work led directly to his injuries.
According to the lawsuit, Floros and fellow contestant Emmanouil Malliaros were spearfishing for food in open ocean waters in May when a boat carrying approximately 20 tourists entered the area. Malliaros reportedly shouted a warning for Floros to get out of the way.
Despite trying to dodge the boat, the vessel's propellers struck both of his legs. The suit states that the impact severed his left leg completely, and that the leg was never recovered from the water, while his right leg was severely injured.
Spearfishing Was Mandatory, Suit Claims
The filing alleges that contestants were "required, incentivized, and expected" to spearfish in open ocean waters as a "core and mandatory element of the game and its televised format." The show's premise, the suit says, gives contestants only "minimal rationed food" and expects them to supplement it by fishing and foraging.
Yet contestants were directed to hunt for food in what the lawsuit describes as "an area of very heavy commercial and tourist boat traffic." Production, the suit claims, never established a marked, roped-off, buoyed or otherwise protected safe zone where cast members could fish or free-dive.
No Safety Boats or Spotters
The lawsuit also states that contestants had their phones taken away, leaving them unable to independently call for help or protect themselves in an emergency, which it says placed a heightened duty on production to supervise, protect and rescue cast members.
Despite that, the filing alleges the show provided "any safety personnel, safety boats, spotters, or other measures to warn approaching boats away from the area where cast members were fishing." It further claims production knew, or should have known, about the heavy and dangerous boat traffic in the area and the risk it posed, but failed to take corrective action.
What Is Survivor Greece
Survivor Greece is the Greek adaptation of the international Survivor format, in which contestants are stranded in a remote location and compete in physical and social challenges while foraging for their own food. The lawsuit names production company AcunMedya and broadcaster Skai TV as defendants.
After the accident, Floros was transported to Miami for medical care, where he remained hospitalized for 61 days. The suit says he underwent multiple surgical procedures, including ones related to the traumatic amputation of his left leg and the surgical repair and reconstruction of his severely injured right leg.
Filming Continued After the Accident
The lawsuit alleges that after Floros left, the production remained on location and did not stop filming. Producers allegedly continued to actively film and manage the show, exercising the same control over the remaining cast members as before the incident.
According to the suit, production then supplied remaining cast members with cocaine and marijuana, apparently to help calm and settle the cast following Floros' injury.
Damages Sought
Floros is seeking compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $100 million. The suit lists past and future medical expenses, along with past and future pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life.
AcunMedya's Response
E! News said it reached out to representatives for AcunMedya and Skai TV for comment on the allegations but had not heard back.
Following the May incident, AcunMedya issued a statement addressing what it called the "serious accident," aiming to clarify the circumstances under which it occurred. According to the Toronto Sun, the company said Floros was diving without a surface marker buoy in an area frequented by tourist vessels when a boat accidentally struck him.
AcunMedya said it responded quickly, stating there was an immediate response to provide assistance and safely transport the injured contestant, while port authorities investigated the causes of the incident to fully determine the circumstances.
