What was meant to be a simple shopping trip turned into a life-altering event for Santa Rosa woman Sadie Novotny. The Sonoma County resident has filed a staggering $14 million lawsuit against Costco after a towering liquor display cabinet allegedly toppled onto her, leaving her with severe and permanent injuries.
The incident took place on 22 March at the Costco branch in Santa Rosa, California. According to the complaint, Novotny was browsing furniture options with her husband when the floor model liquor cabinet suddenly tipped over ※without warning,§ slamming into her body. Despite trying to brace the falling piece and pushing it back, she immediately experienced intense pain across multiple parts of her body.
Court documents reveal that Novotny sustained ※multiple, permanent and catastrophic injuries,§ including trauma to her head, lower back, shoulder, and arm. One of the most concerning diagnoses listed in the complaint is a traumatic brain injury 〞 a life-changing condition with long-term consequences.
Novotny＊s legal team is suing the retail chain not just for general negligence, but also under premises liability and product liability. These charges suggest the store may be held responsible both for maintaining an unsafe environment and for selling or displaying a potentially hazardous item.
Costco has responded swiftly to the lawsuit. In May, legal representative Nick Rineberg filed a motion to dismiss Costco Wholesale Membership, Inc. from the case. He argued that the membership entity is legally separate and does not manage or operate the store in question.
With the case now transferred to the United States District Court for Northern California as of 5 June, the legal battle is heating up. The retail giant is likely to put up a robust defence, but the viral nature of the case and the public sympathy toward Novotny＊s injuries may add pressure.
Known locally in Sonoma County, Sadie Novotny is not a celebrity, but her case is quickly gaining attention. Her story highlights concerns about retail safety and has ignited questions about liability in big-box store environments. As the lawsuit unfolds, all eyes will be on how one woman＊s fight might change retail safety standards nationwide.