American singer Chris Brown's legal troubles have deepened after a Los Angeles judge ruled that a $13.5 million jury award handed to his former housekeeper was too high. The jury had found Brown and his company, Black Pyramid LLC, liable for a dog attack that occurred on December 12, 2020, at his Tarzana property. Maria Avila, who was employed as a housekeeper at the home, had gone outside to empty a vacuum when the dog, a large Caucasian shepherd, attacked her.
The dog attack left Avila with serious injuries, including wounds to her face, arm, and leg. She was hospitalized for several days and underwent surgery. Avila's sister, Patricia, who was also working at the home that day, heard her screams and rushed out to find her badly injured. The attack had a lasting impact on Avila, who spoke about extensive scarring and ongoing pain.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Huey P. Cotton issued a ruling on September 29, giving Avila two paths forward. She can either accept a reduced award of $9.5 million or return to court for a fresh trial focused solely on determining the appropriate level of damages. The judge acknowledged that the evidence justified compensation for Avila's emotional distress, scarring, and ongoing pain.
However, Judge Cotton questioned whether there was a sufficient basis for the portion of the award tied to permanent nerve damage. Avila's lawyer had earlier pushed back against any steep reduction, arguing that an amount closer to $11 million would be more appropriate. Avila has until October 2 to make her decision.
During the two-week civil trial, both Brown and Avila took the stand. Brown told the court he heard the dog growling before discovering Avila on the ground and that he secured the animal and helped get assistance. Although he had previously admitted negligence under California's dog-bite law, he contested the severity of her injuries and suggested she bore some responsibility for going outside on her own.
Brown's legal team sought a broader retrial and raised concerns that jurors were allowed to hear about his felony conviction from the 2009 assault on Rihanna. However, Judge Cotton rejected that argument, finding no evidence that the prior conviction had unfairly swayed the jury, and left the finding of liability in place. The original jury verdict also included separate awards for Patricia Avila and Maria's husband, Oscar Olivo.
The case had already reached beyond the courtroom, with a judge allowing Maria to pursue earnings from Brown's music career, including income linked to his joint tour with Usher, as she sought to collect on the original judgment. The reduced award would significantly alter how much Brown ultimately pays.
Key points
- A Los Angeles judge has ruled that a $13.5 million jury award to Chris Brown's former housekeeper was excessive.
- The judge gave the housekeeper two options, including accepting a reduced figure of $9.5 million.
- The case involves a dog attack at Brown's Tarzana property that left the housekeeper with serious injuries.
