On March 22, 2025, a routine shopping trip at the Santa Rosa Costco turned into a life-altering ordeal for Sonoma County resident Sadie Novotny. While browsing the liquor section with her husband, Novotny was struck by a heavy cabinet display that suddenly toppled over without warning, pinning her to the ground and causing severe injuries including a traumatic brain injury.
The incident occurred at the Costco located at 1900 Santa Rosa Avenue, where the cabinet was part of an "on sale" display. According to Novotny's lawsuit, the cabinet was precariously perched on thin legs atop a worn and inadequate wooden pallet, making it dangerously unstable. The display's instability, combined with what the complaint describes as Costco's failure to properly manage and secure merchandise, created a hazardous environment for shoppers.
Novotny alleges that despite the risks, Costco neglected to discover or remedy the unsafe conditions, failed to warn customers about the potential danger, and did not adequately train or supervise employees responsible for managing such displays. The lawsuit, initially filed on April 29, 2025, in California Superior Court for Alameda County, was transferred to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California on June 5 at Costco's request. Costco's legal team cited the company's Washington state headquarters as part of the rationale for moving the case to federal court.
According to court documents, Novotny tried to catch the falling cabinet in an attempt to stop it from collapsing fully, but she immediately felt intense pain in her right shoulder, forearm, hand, fingers, and lower back. The injuries were not limited to these areas; she suffered a closed head injury and a traumatic brain injury, which the lawsuit describes as "multiple, permanent, and severe."
The legal action accuses Costco Wholesale Corporation of negligence, premises liability, and product liability. It claims the company failed to maintain a safe shopping environment, neglected to properly secure the cabinet display, and did not provide sufficient employee training or supervision. These failures, the complaint contends, directly led to Novotny's injuries.
Novotny is seeking $14,110,000 in damages, a sum that reflects the gravity of her injuries and the impact on her life. The breakdown includes $5 million for emotional distress, $5 million for pain, suffering, and inconvenience, $2 million for future medical expenses, $2 million for loss of future earning capacity, $50,000 for medical expenses incurred to date, $50,000 for lost earnings so far, and $10,000 for loss of household services.
The lawsuit includes a Costco incident report confirming that Novotny reported the cabinet falling and detailed the immediate pain she experienced. While the report supports her claim of injury, it does not assign blame. Nonetheless, Novotny’s legal team argues that the evidence points to systemic negligence on Costco's part.
The case has attracted attention beyond Sonoma County, highlighting concerns about retail safety practices, especially in large warehouse-style stores where bulky merchandise is displayed in high-traffic areas. Legal analysts suggest the outcome could set a precedent for how retailers manage in-store product displays and customer safety protocols.
Costco has not publicly commented on the lawsuit, and it remains unclear whether the company will seek a settlement or prepare for a trial. The court has scheduled a case management meeting for September 2025, where both parties are expected to outline their positions and discuss the next steps.
This lawsuit adds to a growing number of claims against retailers for accidents linked to poor safety measures. For Novotny, the physical and emotional toll is profound, and the legal battle underscores the potential risks hidden in everyday shopping experiences.
As the case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder that even familiar environments can harbor unexpected dangers and that corporations may be held accountable for lapses that cause lasting harm to customers.
