Former housekeeper to American, singer Chris Brown, Maria Avila, has agreed to accept a reduced damages award of $9.5 million in her lawsuit stemming from a vicious dog attack at the singer’s Los Angeles home.

The lawsuit relates to an incident that occurred on December 12, 2020, at Brown’s residence in Tarzana, California. Avila, who was working at the property at the time, said she was taking out the trash when she was attacked by Hades, Brown’s 200-pound Caucasian shepherd guard dog.

According to court testimony, the attack left Avila with severe injuries to her face and arms, extensive scarring, and lasting psychological trauma including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In court, Avila told jurors, “I will never be the same again.”

She initially sued Brown seeking $90 million in damages for medical expenses, lost income, emotional distress, and permanent disfigurement. In June, after a two-week trial, a Los Angeles jury found in her favor and awarded her $12.9 million.

Brown’s legal team subsequently filed a motion for a new trial, arguing that the jury’s award was excessive and not supported by the evidence. They also argued that the trial was prejudiced because jurors had heard references to Brown’s 2009 felony assault of singer Rihanna.

In a conditional ruling issued on September 28, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Huey P. Cotton agreed that the $12.9 million award was excessive. The judge ruled that while Avila deserved millions for emotional distress and ongoing pain, there was insufficient evidence to support the portion of the award for permanent radial nerve damage and future pain and suffering.

Judge Cotton gave Avila a choice: accept a reduced award of $9.5 million or face a new trial that would determine damages only. The process, known in California as remittitur, allows a judge to offer a reduced amount as an alternative to a full retrial.

Avila’s attorney, Nancy Doumanian, had argued at the hearing that her client suffered serious radial nerve damage that limited movement in her wrist and fingers, impairing her ability to grip objects, write, type, and perform daily activities, and had asked the court to reduce the award to $11 million instead.

However, in a formal notice of acceptance filed on Thursday, Doumanian wrote: “Maria Avila hereby unequivocally accepts the downward adjustment and consents to the reduction of her damages award to $9,500,000.”

Legal experts say Avila’s decision avoids the additional expense, uncertainty, and emotional toll of a second trial.

Judge Cotton rejected Brown’s other arguments for a new trial, including the claim about the Rihanna reference.

In addition to Avila’s case, Brown was ordered to pay a separate $855,000 judgment to Avila’s sister, who was also working at the home during the attack and was affected by the incident.