American singer Chris Brown has been ordered to pay nearly $13 million in damages to his former housekeeper, Maria Avila, after a jury found him liable in a lawsuit arising from a dog attack at his California home.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-IDRI-Masterclass.jpg")
The Los Angeles jury found in favour of Avila following a civil trial over the 2020 incident, in which she was mauled by Brown’s dog, Hades, a Caucasian shepherd reportedly kept at the singer’s Tarzana residence for security purposes.
Brown and his company, Black Pyramid LLC, were ordered to pay Avila $12.9 million in damages for negligence.
The jury also awarded $885,000 to Avila’s sister, Patricia Avila, who was also working at the property at the time of the attack, and $50,000 to Avila’s husband, Oscar Olivo.
Avila had sued Brown after the attack, claiming she suffered severe injuries while working at the singer’s home.
During the trial, she said she was taking out trash when the large dog attacked her, tearing into her face and arm.
She told the court that the incident left her permanently disfigured, caused mobility problems, nerve damage and post-traumatic stress disorder, and affected her ability to continue working.
Reports said Avila required extensive medical treatment, including sutures and skin grafts, after the attack.
Brown, who testified during the trial, said he was at home when the incident occurred and later secured the dog after the attack.
He said his security guard called emergency services, but admitted that he left the scene before the ambulance arrived.
According to reports from the trial, Brown said he left because he feared the situation would become a media spectacle due to his status as a public figure.
The singer also claimed that he had warned Avila and her sister not to go near the dogs or go outside without asking because the dog was dangerous.
However, the Avila sisters denied that such a warning was given and also raised concerns about a language barrier.
Brown maintained that the dog was kept for security reasons, saying he had experienced stalker-related situations.
Although Brown admitted negligence, he disputed parts of the claims, including the extent of Avila’s injuries.
The jury, however, sided with Avila and her family, awarding damages after the trial.
The case had been pending for years after Avila filed the lawsuit in 2021, following the attack at Brown’s property.
The judgment marks a major civil liability finding against the singer, separate from other legal matters he has faced over the years.
As of the time of this report, Brown’s legal team had not issued a detailed public response to the verdict.
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