Judge Cotton gives Maria Avila option of $9.5 million or new trial
Los Angeles County Judge Huey P. Cotton ruled that a $12.9 million damages award granted to a housekeeper mauled by a dog outside Chris Brown’s home is excessive, issuing a conditional order giving plaintiff Maria Avila the option to accept a reduced $9.5 million award or face a new trial limited strictly to damages.
Legal Background of the Dog-Bite Case
The civil litigation stems from a Dec. 12, 2020 attack at Chris Brown’s residence in the Tarzana neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley. During a two-week trial last June, Maria Avila testified on the witness stand, detailing severe injuries to her arm and face, extensive scarring, and post-traumatic stress disorder following the mauling. Before the trial commenced, Brown admitted negligence under California’s dog-bite statute. However, defense attorneys disputed the extent of Avila’s injuries, arguing that Brown had specifically warned Avila and her sister—both Spanish speakers—not to go outside without asking him first because his dogs were not friendly. Both women denied that such a conversation ever occurred.
In his recent decision, Judge Cotton determined that while Avila deserved compensation for emotional distress and persistent pain, there was insufficient evidence of extensive permanent nerve damage. Avila’s lawyer, Nancy Doumanian, had previously disputed that tentative finding during proceedings, pointing to testimony from the surgeon who treated Avila on the night of the attack and continued caring for her through facial and arm reconstructive procedures.
Standing Awards and Rejected Claims
While the primary judgment for Maria Avila faces reduction or retrial, the court kept a separate $855,000 jury award intact for her sister, Patricia Avila. Patricia was working alongside Maria when the attack occurred, and her compensation covers past economic damages and emotional distress.
Judge Cotton also dismissed an argument brought forward by Brown’s legal team alleging that jurors were unfairly prejudiced because Brown’s felony conviction for his 2009 domestic violence assault against Rihanna was mentioned during the trial. According to court records, jurors were not given specific details of that past incident, but were only informed that the conviction existed on his record. Neither attorneys for Avila nor representatives for Chris Brown immediately responded to requests for comment following the ruling.
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