A California woman has filed a $14 million lawsuit against Costco, claiming the retail giant's negligence led to severe injuries she suffered when a display cabinet allegedly collapsed on her inside one of the stores.
⚖️ The Incident
Sadie Novotny, a resident of Santa Rosa, filed her lawsuit on April 29, stating that Costco failed to safely manage or maintain its merchandise and displays, which led to the accident. According to her legal complaint, a display cabinet fell on her, causing significant physical harm.
The incident reportedly occurred at a California-based Costco, although exact details of the location and injury specifics have not yet been publicly disclosed.
🏛️ Legal Movement
Originally filed in California Superior Court for Alameda County, the case was later moved to the U.S. District Court for Northern California on June 5 at the request of Costco’s legal counsel. The transfer to federal court often indicates the seriousness of the litigation and potential damages involved.
📜 Allegations of Negligence
Novotny’s legal team alleges that:
- Costco failed to secure or inspect the cabinet properly
- There was no warning signage or employee assistance in the area
- The company’s actions (or inaction) directly resulted in her injury
She is seeking compensatory and punitive damages totaling more than $14 million, citing long-term physical and emotional harm.
🛒 Corporate Response
Costco has not issued a public statement regarding the case. Legal experts suggest the company will likely argue either lack of liability or shared fault, which is common in personal injury defense.
🔍 What’s Next?
The case is currently in early litigation stages. If not settled out of court, it could proceed to trial, shedding further light on the incident and potentially affecting Costco’s liability protocols across its stores.
By ✍️ Tammy Castillo - MicuPost Team
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