A California woman is taking legal action against retail giant Costco, seeking more than $14 million in damages after she says a display cabinet fell on her during a shopping trip. Sadie Novotny of Santa Rosa claims she sustained serious and permanent injuries when a heavy liquor cabinet display toppled onto her unexpectedly at a Costco store on March 22. According to her Costco lawsuit, the impact resulted in multiple injuries, including a traumatic brain injury.
Costco’s internal incident report, included in the court filing, recounts that Novotny and her husband were considering purchasing the cabinet when the floor model fell. She reportedly caught the cabinet and pushed it back, but immediately experienced pain in her right shoulder, arm, hand, and lower back. The incident has since sparked a legal dispute over safety practices within the store.
Lawsuit Alleges Multiple Forms of Negligence
The Costco lawsuit, originally filed in California Superior Court for Alameda County on April 29, was moved to federal court on June 5 at Costco’s request. Novotny is accusing Costco of general negligence, as well as premises and product liability. She alleges that the store failed to properly manage merchandise and that the cabinet was dangerously positioned on a worn wooden pallet with thin legs, making it unstable.
The complaint further states that Costco failed in its responsibility to adequately train and supervise its staff, arguing that proper employee oversight might have prevented the incident. Premises liability holds property owners accountable for injuries sustained on their premises, while product liability concerns the safety of consumer goods. Novotny’s legal team asserts that Costco neglected both responsibilities, , making the Costco lawsuit a potential landmark for retail liability.
Damages Exceed $14 Million
In her Costco lawsuit, Novotny is requesting $14,110,000 in damages. This amount includes $5 million for emotional distress, $5 million for pain, suffering, and inconvenience, $2 million for future medical treatment, and $2 million for lost future earning capacity. She is also seeking $50,000 for existing medical expenses, $50,000 for lost income to date, and $10,000 for the loss of household services.
As the case proceeds in the United States District Court for Northern California, it raises broader concerns about retail safety and liability. Costco has yet to publicly respond to the claims. However, the Costco lawsuit may influence how stores manage large and potentially hazardous merchandise displays. Meanwhile, Novotny’s legal action highlights the risks shoppers can face in retail environments and underscores the importance of strict adherence to safety protocols.
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