Chris Brown Ordered To Pay Nearly $13 Million After Housekeeper Won Dog Attack Lawsuit

Chris Brown must pay nearly $13 million after a California jury found him liable in a lawsuit brought by a former housekeeper who said she suffered life-altering injuries when she was attacked by a large guard dog while working at his home.

The verdict stems from an incident at Brown’s Tarzana, California, property, where former housekeeper Maria Avila said she was mauled by a 200-pound Caucasian shepherd named Hades. According to Billboard, the jury awarded Avila $12.9 million in damages after concluding she suffered severe and permanent injuries.

Avila testified that the attack left her with lasting facial disfigurement, extensive scarring, vision loss and nerve damage. She argued the injuries dramatically altered her life and ability to work.

The jury also awarded Avila’s sister, Patricia Avila, $885,000 for emotional distress. Patricia was also employed at Brown’s residence and witnessed the aftermath of the attack. Maria’s husband, Oscar Olivo, was awarded an additional $50,000.

During testimony on June 18, Brown maintained that he had warned both women about the dangers of the dogs on the property.

According to his testimony, he told Maria and Patricia the animals were “absolutely not” friendly and instructed them not to go outside unless security personnel were present.

Brown also disputed the characterization that Hades was his personal pet.

He testified the dog belonged to his security operation and was acquired because of repeated security concerns at the property, including alleged break-ins and what he described as “stalker-type situations.”

The lawsuit centered on whether adequate precautions had been taken to protect workers at the residence despite the presence of the large guard dog. Jurors ultimately sided with the plaintiffs, awarding damages that totaled nearly $13.9 million across the three family members.

The verdict marks another significant legal setback for Brown and it is not over yet.

Brown is also awaiting trial in October over allegations that he carried out an unprovoked bottle attack on music producer Abraham Diaw inside a London nightclub in 2023. Brown and co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu appeared briefly in a U.K. court earlier this year, where both were granted bail, allowing the singer to continue his stadium tour while the criminal case moves forward.

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