Chris Brown Ordered to Pay Housekeeper $13 Million After Dog Attack

Singer Chris Brown has been ordered to pay $13 million in damages to a housekeeper who was severely injured in a dog attack in December 2020. The housekeeper, Maria Avila, was left with significant scarring on her face and arm, as well as limited mobility, according to reports.

Avila testified that the attack resulted in severe scarring from beneath her left eye across her forehead and "raised and pitted skin" on her forearm. Surgeons grafted skin from her abdomen to repair her arm, but she experiences limited mobility and has been unable to return to work as a housekeeper due to a lack of arm strength and post-traumatic stress that prevents her from being around dogs.

During the trial, Brown admitted to some culpability but disputed the extent of Avila's injuries, suggesting she may have been partially at fault. He stated he had warned the housekeepers that the dogs were not friendly and should only be outside when security was present, as he had received stalker threats and kept the dogs for home protection. However, the housekeepers denied this conversation ever took place, citing a language barrier.

Avila's sister, Patricia, who was also present during the attack, was awarded an additional $885,000. Maria Avila's husband, Oscar Olivo, received $50,000 in a separate award.

Patricia's lawyer, Michael C. Murphy, expressed satisfaction with the verdict, stating, "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."

Brown is currently on tour in the United States and is scheduled to face trial in the UK in October for an alleged attack on a music producer in 2023.