R&B singer Chris Brown has been ordered to pay nearly $13 million in damages after a Los Angeles jury found him negligent in a dog attack that left his former housekeeper with life-changing injuries.
The jury on Tuesday awarded $12.9 million to Maria Avila, who was attacked by Brown’s 200-pound Caucasian shepherd, Hades, while taking out the trash at the singer’s California home in 2020.
According to court proceedings, Avila suffered severe injuries during the attack, leaving her permanently disfigured with scars on her face and left arm, limited mobility, and lasting psychological trauma. She had initially sought $90 million in damages, arguing that Brown failed to properly secure the dog and allowed it to roam freely on the property.
Brown denied responsibility, claiming Avila provoked the animal and contributed to her injuries. He told the court that Hades was a trained guard dog rather than a household pet and insisted he had warned the housekeepers about the dog’s presence. However, Avila and her sister disputed the claim, saying no such warning was given and noting that language barriers would have made such a conversation unlikely.
During his testimony, Brown said he discovered Avila lying in a pool of blood after hearing the dog growling. He admitted he did not call emergency services himself because he feared news of the incident would become public. Instead, he said a member of his team contacted 911, while he left the property before first responders arrived on the advice of his manager.
In addition to Avila’s award, the jury granted $885,000 to her sister, Patricia, for emotional distress and $50,000 to her husband, Oscar Olivo.
Reacting to the verdict after five years of legal proceedings, attorney Michael C. Murphy Jr., who represented Patricia, welcomed the outcome.
“We are so happy for her and her family after everything they went through on that horrible day,” he said.
Comments:
@JusWondering: If the dog was truly that dangerous, why was it roaming freely around workers?
@LawTalks: $12.9 million is a huge judgment, but permanent injuries can change someone’s life forever.
@MusicFan101: Leaving before first responders arrived because of bad publicity is the part that shocked me the most.
@Justice4All: Employers have a duty to keep workers safe. That’s what this case was about.
@DogLover: Guard dog or not, owners are responsible for controlling their animals.
