Only in America can something like this happen

Ken Cordeiro

Hatch, 39, was one of 16 contestants marooned by the CBS network on the South Pacific island of Pulau Tiga in May.

The $1m (�714,000) winner of the show was tight-lipped about the litigation during a ceremony to mark Honorary Richard Hatch Day in Middleton on Monday.

Hatch is seeking unspecified damages from Rhode Island state's Department of Children, Youth and Families, claiming the child welfare agency hurt the boy emotionally and damaged their relationship when they removed him from his home.

He is also suing Middletown authorities for $1m for false imprisonment and defamation, after it was alleged he wrapped his hands around his son's neck when the boy became tired on a run.

Survivor: Hatch is suing his home town police force

Hatch was presented with a commemorative town tile and a Middletown T-shirt, which prompted him to say, "Is this a hint?".

"You know, only in America can something like this happen," said Ken Cordeiro, an estate agent who knew Hatch before he emerged as the winner of the hit CBS show.

Almost 52 million people tuned in to watch the contestents try to outwit each other and endure challenges like eating insects and rats.

Each week the castaways voted to evict one of their own from the island, similar to the UK programme Big Brother.