Santa Rosa Costco lawsuit: woman seeks $14 million after display accident
Costco faces a $14 million lawsuit after a Sonoma County woman was injured by a falling cabinet display in a Santa Rosa store.
Costco Wholesale Corporation has been sued for over $14 million in damages, by a Sonoma County woman due to very grave injuries after an allegedly faulty cabinet fell on her at the Santa Rosa store.
The incident, which took place on March 22, 2025, left Sadie Novotny with “multiple, permanent, and severe injuries,” including a traumatic brain injury, according to the paperwork of the lawsuit. The lawsuit claims the store is responsible for negligence, premises liability and products liability.
Costco display cabinet falls on woman
According to the lawsuit, Sadie Novotny, was walking down a Costco aisle when an “on sale” cabinet display allegedly fell and pinned her to the ground. The cabinet allegedly had thin legs and was in a precarious position is a very worn down wooden pallet.
Costco faces a $14 million lawsuit after a display accident. Photo: AFP
According to Sadie Novotny, Costco had failed to identify these "unsafe conditions" or give any kind of warning to their customers, in addition of properly training their employees about safe cabinet displays.
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Sadie Novotny sues Costco: details of the lawsuit
The monetary compensation Novotny is looking for is the following:
- $5 million for “pain, suffering, and inconvenience”
- $5 million for emotional distress
- $100,000 for medical expenses and loss of earnings to date
- $4 million for future medical expenses and loss of earnings.
The case is due in court in September at the Northern District Court, after Costco requested to move the lawsuit from Alameda County Superior Court, where it was originally filed; to there.
