A jury has ordered R&B superstar Chris Brown to pay nearly $13 million in damages to his former housekeeper, Maria Avila, after she was brutally mauled by one of his guard dogs while working at his California home.

The incident dates back to 2020, when Avila was taking rubbish outside Brown's Tarzana property before being attacked by Hades, a Caucasian Shepherd used as a guard dog.

During the trial, Avila described being left covered in blood and suffering devastating injuries, including severe wounds to her face and arm, nerve damage, permanent scarring, post-traumatic stress disorder and multiple skin grafts after the attack. Her sister, Patricia Avila, was also awarded damages for emotional distress, while Maria's husband received compensation after the jury sided with the family.

Brown admitted negligence before the trial but argued he had warned Maria and Patricia not to go outside without first checking with him because of the dog. He also disputed the extent of her injuries. During his testimony, the singer acknowledged leaving the property before emergency services arrived, telling the court it was to avoid a "media circus" due to his celebrity status. He also defended owning a guard dog, saying:

"I get a lot of stalker-type situations," insisting Hades was kept for security rather than companionship.

While Brown remains one of R&B's biggest names, boasting multiple platinum albums and chart-topping hits spanning more than two decades, his career has frequently been overshadowed by legal troubles. The singer pleaded guilty to assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009 and has since faced several lawsuits and assault allegations, including a separate criminal case in the UK that is still before the courts.

News of the verdict quickly sparked debate across social media. Many expressed sympathy for Avila, saying no amount of money could erase the physical and emotional trauma she endured. Others were left stunned by the size of the payout, with some joking that the former housekeeper's life was about to change dramatically thanks to her newfound wealth.

Regardless of where opinions landed, many agreed the case serves as another reminder that Chris Brown's headline-making legal battles continue to rival discussion about his music career.

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