By NNL
Los Angeles jury has ordered singer Chris Brown to pay nearly $13 million in damages to a former housekeeper who was mauled and permanently disfigured by his dog in 2020.
The verdict, reached on June 30 after a two-week civil trial, found Brown and his company, Black Pyramid LLC, liable for negligence.
The jury awarded Maria Avila $12.9 million for the severe injuries she suffered when she was attacked by Hades, a 200-pound Caucasian shepherd, while taking out trash at Brown's Tarzana, California, home.
The Attack and Aftermath Avila testified that the dog tore off "large chunks of her skin," resulting in permanent facial disfigurement, vision loss, and nerve damage.
She underwent multiple surgeries, including skin grafts from her abdomen to repair her arm, and stated she can no longer work as a housekeeper due to limited mobility and post-traumatic stress.
The court also heard that following the attack, Brown left the scene rather than calling emergency services, fearing a "media circus" . Brown testified he was "in shock" after seeing Avila covered in blood.
Brown's Defense While Brown conceded some liability before the trial, he disputed the extent of Avila's injuries and argued she was partially at fault.
He claimed Hades was a security dog, not a personal pet, and that he had warned workers about the dogs . However, Avila and her sister, Patricia, who also worked for Brown, denied any warning, citing language barriers.
Total Damages Awarded In addition to the $12.9 million awarded to Maria Avila, Patricia Avila received $885,000 for emotional distress, and Maria's husband, Oscar Olivo, was awarded $50,000.
Following the verdict, attorney Michael C. Murphy Jr., who represents Patricia Avila, stated, “After more than five years of litigating against Chris Brown, we are thrilled that we were able to get justice for our client” .
