Overview
- A jury in Van Nuys returned the verdict on Tuesday, awarding about $12.9 million to housekeeper Maria Avila, $885,000 to her sister Patricia Avila for emotional distress, and $50,000 to Maria’s husband Oscar Olivo.
- The case stems from a Dec. 12, 2020 attack by a roughly 200‑pound Caucasian shepherd named Hades at Brown’s Tarzana home that left Maria Avila with deep lacerations, extensive scarring, a skin graft and lasting mobility and post‑traumatic stress impairments.
- Brown had filed a pretrial admission of negligence under California’s dog‑bite law but contested the severity of Avila’s injuries and argued she bore some fault; the judge barred testimony about his 2009 felony conviction to avoid prejudice.
- The two‑week trial briefly hit a snag on June 16 when a juror’s outside internet research prompted a mistrial and reseating of the panel, after which the trial resumed and Brown testified while he was performing a co‑headlining tour.
- The verdict could prompt post‑trial moves by Brown such as an appeal, and it will affect Avila’s ability to work and recover while creating a sizable financial obligation for Brown and his company.