Maria Avila, the former housekeeper who won a nearly $12.9 million jury award after she was injured by a dog at Chris Brown’s Tarzana home, has agreed to accept a reduced $9.5 million damages award rather than proceed to a new damages trial, Rolling Stone reported on October 2.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Huey P. Cotton had conditionally granted Brown a new trial on damages for Avila alone after finding the original award excessive. The order gave Avila a choice: accept $9.5 million or retry the amount of damages. The Los Angeles Times reported the ruling on September 30.
The ruling did not overturn the underlying liability verdict against Brown and his company, Black Pyramid LLC. A Los Angeles jury had found Brown and the company liable in connection with the 2020 attack at Brown’s home.
Avila alleged that she suffered serious injuries while working at the property. The court concluded that the evidence did not support the full amount the jury awarded for claimed permanent nerve damage and future pain and suffering.
According to Rolling Stone, Avila filed a notice accepting the $9.5 million reduction, avoiding a new damages trial. Brown’s lawyers did not immediately respond to the outlet’s request for comment.
References
- Rolling Stone — Chris Brown Housekeeper Accepts Reduced $9.5 Million Award for Dog Mauling (Oct. 2, 2026)
- Los Angeles Times — Court grants new trial over Chris Brown dog-attack damages (Sept. 30, 2026)
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