Judge reduces jury award against Chris Brown in dog attack lawsuit

A Los Angeles judge ruled that Maria Avila can accept a reduced award or return to court for a new trial focused on damages.

A Los Angeles judge has given Maria Avila, the former housekeeper who won a $12.9 million jury award against Chris Brown over a 2020 dog attack, a choice that could significantly change the amount she ultimately receives.

According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Huey P. Cotton ruled that Avila can accept a reduced $9.5 million award or face a new trial focused specifically on damages. The judge found the original jury award excessive, citing insufficient evidence supporting the amount assigned to permanent nerve damage and future pain and suffering.

The ruling does not amount to a complete reversal of the jury’s decision against Brown. Instead, it addresses the amount of compensation awarded to Avila. Other reporting on the ruling confirms that the proposed new trial would be limited to damages rather than reopening the entire case.

Avila’s lawsuit stems from an incident at Brown’s Tarzana home in 2020. She alleged that she was attacked by one of the singer’s dogs while taking out the trash. Brown denied wrongdoing, while jurors ultimately awarded Avila $12.9 million after hearing testimony from both sides.

The latest ruling follows Brown’s broader challenge to the verdict. His legal team had sought a new trial and argued, among other things, that references to his past arrests, including his 2009 assault case involving Rihanna, should not have been allowed during the proceedings. The judge’s latest decision focuses on the damages rather than granting the broader challenge sought by Brown.

The financial dispute has continued beyond the original verdict. TMZ reported that Avila has been seeking a portion of Brown’s touring income from his concerts with Usher to help satisfy the judgment. A separate award was also issued to Avila’s sister, Patricia, who was involved in the underlying case.

Avila’s decision on the reduced award will determine the next stage of the damages dispute. If she accepts the $9.5 million figure, the reduced award would resolve that portion of the case. If she rejects it, the damages question would return to trial.