Maria Avila agrees to a reduced payout after a judge gives her the option of accepting less money or facing a new trial on damages.
Chris Brown’s former housekeeper, Maria Avila, has agreed to accept a reduced $9.5 million damages award in her lawsuit against the R&B singer over a 2020 dog attack at his Tarzana, California, home.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Avila initially secured a $12.9 million judgment in the case. However, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge later ruled that there was insufficient evidence supporting certain aspects of the damages, including claims involving nerve damage.
The judge granted Brown’s request for a new trial on damages unless Avila agreed to accept a reduced amount. Rather than risk another trial, she accepted the revised $9.5 million award, according to newly filed court documents reported on October 1, 2026.
The proposed award includes $3.85 million for past non-economic losses, $5.4 million for future non-economic losses and $250,000 for future medical expenses.
The lawsuit stems from an alleged attack in 2020, when Avila claimed she was severely injured by Brown’s dog while working at his Tarzana residence. The incident led to a legal battle over the singer’s responsibility and the compensation owed for her injuries.
Although the reduced award represents a $3.4 million decrease from the original judgment, the agreement marks a significant development in the yearslong legal dispute.
The latest court filings indicate that Avila has agreed to the revised damages figure, avoiding a new trial on the amount of compensation.
The case puts another high-profile legal matter involving the Grammy-winning singer in the spotlight as the dispute over the 2020 incident moves toward resolution.
