Singer Chris Brown Ordered to Pay Housekeeper $13 Million After Dog Attack
American R&B star Chris Brown has been ordered to pay nearly $13 million in damages to his former housekeeper after a Los Angeles jury found him liable for negligence in connection with a 2020 dog attack at his California home.
The verdict followed a two-week civil trial in which the jury ruled that Brown and his company, Black Pyramid LLC, were responsible for the injuries sustained by former housekeeper Maria Avila after she was attacked by a 200-pound Caucasian shepherd named Hades while taking out the trash at Brown’s Tarzana residence.
According to court testimony, Avila suffered severe facial injuries, permanent scarring, nerve damage, and lasting mobility issues as a result of the attack. She told the court that the injuries have had a profound impact on her health and quality of life.
The jury awarded $12.9 million in damages to Maria Avila. In addition, her sister, Patricia Avila, received $885,000 for emotional distress, while Maria’s husband, Oscar Olivo, was awarded $50,000 for the impact the incident had on their family.
During the trial, Brown acknowledged that he found Avila seriously injured after the attack but testified that he left the scene before emergency responders arrived, saying he acted on his manager’s advice because of concerns over media attention. He also argued that the dog was kept primarily for security purposes and claimed workers had been warned about its aggressive nature. The plaintiffs disputed that claim.
The lawsuit, which lasted more than five years, has now concluded with the jury finding Brown legally responsible for negligence. The judgment represents one of the largest civil awards against the singer in recent years.
The case adds to a series of legal challenges that have surrounded the Grammy-winning artist throughout his career, even as he continues to perform and release music.
