Honestly, I think I’m telling you something you probably would never expect. On March 22, Sadie Novotny, from Sonoma County, went to the Costco in Santa Rosa to get just some regular items. Inside aisle 10, unfortunately, something really astonishing happened; a display cabinet — I mean a cabinet big enough to hold liquor bottles — toppled on her. She was pinned underneath with what the reports call a “traumatic brain injury” and other serious injuries. She alleged around $14.11 million in damages in a lawsuit as this has been life altering for her. I don’t mean to exaggerate, but it really feels like something mundane transitioned to a nightmare in seconds.
She says that the cabinet was positioned on a broken pallet, that the legs were far too thin and that steps should have been taken to determine its stability. There were no warning signs, there were no tape blocks to keep customers out of the aisle. It doesn’t look like anyone was enforcing anything. For Sadie, this wasn’t simply abrasions or bumps — this is life altering. She is now settled at home nursing injuries that she may never recover from. Every day, she says she’s scared. She feels off balance. She struggles to do normal things, even with the help of others. She had to sue to make sure she gets care — and maybe so no one else has to go through this.
$14 Million Lawsuit Lays Out Her Losses, Fights for Change
When I saw how Sadie broke down the $14 million, I felt a bit stunned. This isn’t just a ballot number — it’s pieces of her life. Here’s how she’s asking it to be split:
- $5 million for the pain and physical suffering she’s going through
- $5 million for the emotional trauma, fear, and stress she can’t shake
- $100,000 to cover what she’s already paid in medical bills and lost wages
- $4 million to help with future treatments, long-term care, and what she’ll probably lose by being unable to work like before
And yeah, she might not ever get better. Her own lawsuit notes she might “never regain full functioning”—physically, mentally, emotionally. That’s tough to even imagine when you just go to Costco for toilet paper. The case was first filed in Alameda County court, then it moved to federal court because Costco is based out of state. Next up — a case meeting in September to decide if both sides can figure something out or head for trial.
What Sadie and her lawyers hope for is more than money. They want Costco to be more careful. No more wobbly cabinets, no more scary displays in aisles. Just a safer shopping experience for all.
What Are People Saying Online?
Social media is already buzzing about the incident:
- 🟣 Twitter user @BanafaAhmed shared:
“A Sonoma County woman is suing Costco for $14 million after a display cabinet fell on her. She suffered a traumatic brain injury. What a horrifying incident.”
The public response is emotional. Some users say they’ve noticed unsafe displays in stores too. Others express sympathy, saying, “That could have been anyone.”
Why This Lawsuit Could Matter to All of Us
You might be thinking “okay, one accident,” but this could be way bigger. If Sadie wins or Costco settles, it might force all large stores to rethink how they put out big display items — like cabinets, furniture, appliances. It may get stores to check more, use better pallets, put warning signs, rope them off — anything to prevent another person getting hurt.
Big safety shifts can start small. One case, one courtroom, one injury. And suddenly all Costco workers are checking pallets. All Home Depots are putting stickers. That kind of change can affect millions of shoppers every day.
I’ve seen other people commenting online, saying they’ve noticed shaky displays in store. One Twitter user Prof. Ahmed Banafa said, “A Sonoma County woman is suing Costco Wholesale Corporation for more than $14 million in damages…” You can almost feel the shock and worry in his words. On Instagram, someone shared a photo of the Santa Rosa Costco aisle, with so many comments like “She’s right. This could happen to anyone,” and “Costco needs to do better.”
Honestly, this is more than retail drama—it’s a wake-up call. The next time you go shopping you might look around and see things differently. And that’s a good thing, I guess.
FAQs
What occurred at the Santa Rosa Costco?
A woman was seriously injured as a display cabinet fell on her, and she sustained injuries, including a traumatic brain injury.
Who is the woman suing Costco?
Her name is Sadie Novotny, and she lives in Sonoma County, California.
How much is she suing for?
She is asking for total damages in excess of $14 million.
What caused the cabinet display to fall?
According to the lawsuit, the cabinet was placed on a broken pallet that had wobbly legs and there were not any warning signs.
Has Costco responded to the lawsuit publicly?
Costco has not made an official public statement on the lawsuit.
Could this case affect other stores?
Yes. If Sadie wins or settles her case it could incentivize stores around the country to reexamine safety standards and improve safety issues.
When is the next court meeting?
A case management conference is scheduled for September, when both sides will confer and either proceed to trial or seek to settle.
