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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Chris Brown ordered to pay nearly $13 Million after housekeeper wins dog attack lawsuit

Chris Brown ordered to pay nearly $13 Million after housekeeper wins dog attack lawsuit

Published Jul 13, 2026 11:43 am

Singer Chris Brown has been ordered to pay nearly $13 million in damages after a California jury ruled in favor of a housekeeper who suffered life-altering injuries when she was mauled by one of the singer's guard dogs at his Los Angeles-area home.

The verdict stems from a 2020 incident at Brown's Tarzana property, where housekeeper Maria Avila was attacked by Hades, a Caucasian shepherd reportedly kept as a guard dog.

Court testimony said the attack left Avila with severe injuries to her face and arm, requiring dozens of stitches, multiple skin grafts from her abdomen, and extensive medical treatment. She also continues to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and lasting nerve damage that has affected her ability to work.
The jury awarded Maria Avila about $12.9 million in damages. Her sister, Patricia Avila, received $885,000 for emotional distress after witnessing the attack, while Maria's husband, Oscar Olivo, was awarded $50,000 for loss of consortium.
Following the verdict, attorneys for the family described the ruling as long-overdue justice after more than five years of legal proceedings.

For anyone who somehow managed to avoid the past two decades of celebrity headlines, Brown remains one of modern R&B's biggest commercial success stories. He broke through as a teenager with hits like "Kiss Kiss," "Forever," "With You," "No Guidance," and "Under the Influence," selling millions of records worldwide while building a career as a singer, songwriter, dancer, and performer often compared with pop's biggest entertainers.

But Brown's career has long been overshadowed by legal troubles.

In 2009, he pleaded guilty to assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna in a case that permanently altered his public image. Since then, he has faced numerous lawsuits, assault allegations, restraining orders, and criminal investigations involving former associates, partners, and industry figures. While some cases have been settled or dismissed, others remain active.

One of these is a criminal case in the United Kingdom, where Brown has pleaded not guilty to charges of grievous bodily harm over the alleged assault of music producer Abraham Diaw at a London nightclub in 2023. His trial is scheduled to begin later this year.

Related Tags

Chris Brown Maria Avila Hades dog attack California jury lawsuit damages Tarzana Los Angeles Rihanna Abraham Diaw
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