Chris Brown has been ordered to pay nearly $13 million in damages after a Los Angeles jury found him and his company liable in a negligence lawsuit stemming from a violent dog attack that took place at his California home.
According to Billboard, the verdict was delivered on Wednesday, July 1, following a two-week civil trial involving former housekeeper Maria Avila, who sued the singer after she was seriously injured while working at his Tarzana property in 2020.
The jury ultimately ruled in Avila’s favor, ordering Brown and his company, Black Pyramid LLC, to pay approximately $12.9 million in damages.
The lawsuit centered on an incident involving Hades, a roughly 200-pound Caucasian Shepherd owned by Brown for security purposes.
During testimony, Avila recounted the terrifying attack, telling jurors she had been taking out the rubbish when the dog suddenly attacked her.
According to her testimony, Hades mauled her so severely that he tore away “large chunks of her skin,” leaving her with permanent injuries to both her face and arm.
She also testified that the attack has caused ongoing mobility problems that continue to affect her daily life years later.
The lawsuit also included claims brought by members of Avila’s family.
Her sister, Patricia, who was also employed at Brown’s residence when the attack occurred, was awarded $885,000, while Avila’s husband, Oscar Olivo, received $50,000.
Brown also testified during the trial, describing what happened immediately after discovering Avila following the attack.
“The blood kind of freaked me out,” Brown said during the trial, adding that he was “in shock” and that’s why he fled the scene on his manager’s advice, per the BBC.
He further explained that he feared his presence could escalate the situation.
Brown said he believed there would be a “media circus” if his voice appeared on the emergency call or if he remained at the property while first responders and police arrived.
Throughout the proceedings, Brown maintained that he had previously warned Avila and her sister about the dogs living on the property.
According to the singer, he told both women the animals were “absolutely not” friendly and explained that they were kept for protection because he frequently deals with what he described as “stalk-type situations.”
Avila and her sister disputed that account.
Both women testified they never received such a warning. They also pointed to a language barrier, arguing that the conversation Brown described would have been highly unlikely to occur in the manner he claimed.
The differing accounts became one of the key factual disputes considered during the trial.
Ultimately, the jury sided with Avila’s version of events.
The verdict marks another significant legal development for Brown, whose career has frequently been accompanied by legal challenges over the years.
Despite those controversies, Brown has continued releasing music and touring, maintaining a loyal fan base while also facing continued scrutiny surrounding legal matters outside his career.
