A Los Angeles jury ordered singer Chris Brown on Tuesday to pay $13 million in damages to his housekeeper, Maria Avila, following a severe 2020 attack by his security dog at his California home.
The verdict concluded a two-week trial regarding the incident, which occurred while Avila was removing trash at the property in Tarzana, California, as reported by Billboard.
The 200-pound Caucasian shepherd caused severe arm and face injuries, permanent scarring, nerve damage, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
"I will never be the same again," Avila told jurors on June 24, according to Rolling Stone.
The legal judgment mandates that Brown and his company, Black Pyramid LLC, owe $12.9 million directly to Avila for negligence.
Furthermore, the jury awarded $885,000 to her sister, Patricia Avila, for emotional distress, and $50,000 to her husband, Oscar Olivo.
Avila testified that the physical limitations from her chronic sensitivity and loss of arm strength have effectively ended her professional career.
Her daughter, Yoseline Espinoza, also provided testimony regarding the immediate aftermath of the dog attack.
"She was just freaking out, telling me, 'Your mom can't breathe. She keeps passing out on me.
The ambulance is still not here. Chris Brown fled the scene,'" testified Espinoza about the phone call she received from her aunt.
"I did not think she was going to make it," Espinoza added.
Brown Admits Negligence but Disputes Severity
Brown admitted negligence under California's dog-bite statute prior to the trial but contested the overall severity of the injuries.
He testified that he discovered Avila motionless after hearing the dog growl, secured the animal, and instructed his security team to help rather than dialing 911 himself.
"Because of how my image is and always used. I didn't want a misleading story, or like a circus, from my status.
It's pretty sticky when it comes to that. So me staying out of the way was advised," said the singer during his testimony.
The defense maintained that the dog served security functions rather than operating as a standard pet, and claimed Avila held partial fault for entering the outdoor area unaccompanied.
