American singer Chris Brown has reached a $9.5 million settlement with a former housekeeper who suffered serious injuries after being mauled by his dog at his Los Angeles home. The incident occurred in December 2020 at Brown's residence in Tarzana, California. The housekeeper, Maria Avila, had been awarded $12.9 million in damages by a jury, but the amount was later deemed excessive by a judge.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Huey P. Cotton ordered a new trial on damages unless Avila accepted the reduced payout of $9.5 million. Avila subsequently agreed to the reduced award, avoiding another trial over the extent of Brown's liability. The judge found insufficient evidence to support some of the jury's findings on extensive permanent nerve damage and future pain and suffering.
Avila had testified that she was attacked by Brown's dog, Hades, while emptying a vacuum cleaner. She sustained severe injuries to her face, hand, and foot. During a deposition, Avila described the attack, stating that the dog bit her face, hand, and pierced its teeth on her foot. She had initially sought $90 million in damages, claiming that she would "never be the same again" following the attack.
Brown acknowledged during testimony that Avila suffered significant facial injuries and that there was "a lot of blood" after the attack. However, he disputed the extent of the damages being claimed, citing that Avila and her sister had been warned that the dogs on the property were aggressive. Brown's manager had advised him to leave the property before emergency responders arrived, to avoid the incident turning into a "circus."
Brown had accepted partial liability in the case but disputed the extent of the damages. Avila's sister, Patricia, who was also working at the property on the day of the incident, was separately awarded $885,000 for emotional distress linked to the attack. The settlement brings an end to more than five years of litigation arising from the attack.
The incident had resulted in significant media attention, with Brown's celebrity status drawing scrutiny to his handling of the situation. The singer has been involved in several high-profile controversies throughout his career. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed in detail, but it is understood that Avila will receive $9.5 million as compensation for her injuries.
The settlement closes a lengthy and costly dispute between Brown and Avila. The case highlights the importance of ensuring that pets are properly secured and handled, particularly in high-profile households. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of pet ownership, and the need for responsible pet care.
Key points
- Chris Brown has agreed to pay $9.5m to a former housekeeper who was mauled by his dog in December 2020.
- The incident resulted in significant injuries to the housekeeper, Maria Avila, who was awarded $12.9 million in damages by a jury before the amount was reduced.
- The settlement brings an end to more than five years of litigation arising from the attack.
