Chris Brown has been ordered to pay $13 million to his former housekeeper, Maria Avila, after a jury found him negligent in a 2020 dog attack at his home that left her severely disfigured, per theroot.com.
The verdict was reached after a two-week trial, concluding litigation that began more than five years ago.
The court awarded Avila $12.9 million for negligence, her sister $885,000 for emotional distress, and her husband $50,000.
Avila alleged that one of Brown’s dogs mauled her while she was working at his property in 2020. The attack caused severe disfigurement and mobility issues that prevented her from continuing her job, according to court filings reported by people.com. She further claimed Brown left the scene and did not assist her after the incident.
In testimony, Brown said he was home during the attack but did not intervene due to shock at the extent of Avila’s injuries and concerns that involving police would create a “media circus”. He stated he left on the advice of his manager.
Brown told the court, as noted by variety.com, that he had warned Avila and her sister, also a housekeeper, that his 200 lb. Caucasian shepherd dog was “absolutely not friendly” and used for security. Both women disputed this, citing language barriers. Avila gave her testimony in Spanish through an interpreter.
Brown, 36, has not publicly commented on the ruling. Avila’s lawyers told billboard.com: “After more than five years of litigating against Chris Brown, we are thrilled that we were able to get justice for our client, Patricia. We are so happy for her and her family after everything they went through on that horrible day.”
The ruling adds to Brown’s history of legal issues. He is currently facing separate charges of causing grievous bodily harm over an alleged assault at a London nightclub in February 2023. He appeared at Southwark Crown Court on July 11, 2025, in connection with that case.
•Featured image: R&B singer Chris Brown arrives at Southwark Crown Court, south London in February 2023. (Photo by James Manning/PA Images via Getty Images)