A woman from California is suing Costco for over $14 million after a display cabinet toppled onto her inside one of the retailer’s stores, resulting in serious injuries.
Sadie Novotny, who lives in Santa Rosa, California, filed the lawsuit on April 29, accusing Costco of negligence for improperly managing merchandise, which she claims led to her injuries.
Originally filed in the California Superior Court for Alameda County, the case was transferred to the U.S. District Court for Northern California on June 5 following a request by Costco’s legal team, according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY.
The lawsuit states that on March 22, while shopping at a Costco store in Santa Rosa, a heavy liquor cabinet display unexpectedly fell on Novotny. The incident caused her to suffer multiple, permanent, and severe injuries, including head trauma and a traumatic brain injury.
An incident report from Costco, attached to the lawsuit, indicates that Novotny and her husband were purchasing the liquor cabinet when the floor model collapsed onto her. She attempted to stop the cabinet from falling by pushing it back but immediately experienced pain in her right shoulder, forearm, hand, fingers, and lower back.
Lawsuit Alleges Negligence, Premises, and Product Liability :
Novotny’s lawsuit accuses Costco of general negligence as well as premises and product liability.
In a premises liability claim, property owners can be held responsible for injuries that occur on their property, according to Justia. Product liability involves defective consumer goods, as defined by Cornell Law School.
The complaint states that Costco “negligently failed to adequately manage and operate their store and merchandise.” It also alleges the wholesaler “negligently failed to train, manage, and supervise their employees,” resulting in the cabinet causing injury to Novotny.
The cabinet was described as being “in a dangerous and/or precarious position,” partly due to its thin legs and placement on a worn wooden pallet.
Woman Seeks Over $14 Million in Damages :
Novotny is pursuing $14,110,000 in damages, broken down as follows:
- $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 loss of earnings to date
- $10,000 for loss of household services
