A civil case that lingered for more than five years ended this week with a multimillion-dollar verdict against one of R&B's biggest stars.
The verdict
A Los Angeles jury found Chris Brown and his company, Black Pyramid, liable for negligence and awarded roughly $13.8 million to Maria Avila, a former housekeeper, and two family members, Rolling Stone reported. Avila received about $12.9 million; her sister, who witnessed the attack, was awarded $885,000, and Avila's husband $50,000.
What happened
Avila was attacked in December 2020 while working at Brown's home in the Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles, when a roughly 200-pound Caucasian shepherd kept on the property mauled her, prosecutors for the plaintiffs said. She was hospitalized for several days and underwent skin grafts, and testified that she was left with permanent scarring, nerve damage and post-traumatic stress. "I will never be the same again," she told the court, Variety reported.
Brown's defense
Brown had conceded some negligence before trial but disputed the severity of the injuries and argued Avila bore partial responsibility, testifying that he had warned the household staff never to go outside without a security escort because the dogs were not friendly. Avila and her sister denied receiving any such warning. Brown also testified that after the attack he secured the dog and called his security team rather than 911, and left the property before paramedics arrived — a decision the plaintiffs' attorney pressed him on during cross-examination.
The takeaway
California law generally holds dog owners responsible when their animal injures someone lawfully on their property, a standard that applied because Avila was working at the residence. The jury's findings reflect that, holding Brown liable as the property owner. Representatives for Brown did not immediately comment after the verdict; the plaintiffs' attorneys called it a measure of justice after years of litigation.
