Psychotherapist Sues Costco After Cabinet Fall

A California woman is taking Costco to court over a routine shopping trip gone terribly wrong. According to a federal lawsuit, a large liquor cabinet fell on her while she browsed the aisles — and now, she's seeking more than $14 million in damages for what she describes as catastrophic injuries.

'Suddenly and Without Warning'

Sadie Novotny, a psychotherapist from the Bay Area, filed a complaint in April alleging that a floor model liquor cabinet toppled onto her on March 22 at the Costco location in Santa Rosa, California. According to the New York Post, she claimed the cabinet was dangerously unstable, resting on a "worn" and "inadequate" wooden pallet with "thin legs," making it a hazard to shoppers.

In her incident report, as reported by PEOPLE, Novotny wrote, "My husband and I were buying a liquor cabinet. I was holding the flatbed when the floor model fell on top of me. I caught the cabinet and pushed it back. My right shoulder, forearm, hand, fingers, and lower back hurt after the accident."

Novotny alleges that the fall caused multiple permanent injuries, including a closed head injury and traumatic brain injury, which have severely impacted her life. Her lawsuit claims she has suffered "pain, suffering and inconvenience," according to the New York Post, as well as emotional distress and loss of earnings.

A Multi-Million Dollar Claim

Novotny is seeking a total of $14,110,000 in damages. That breaks down to roughly $5 million each for pain and suffering and emotional distress, $100,000 for medical expenses and loss of earnings, $10,000 for loss of household services, and $4 million in projected future medical expenses and loss of future earning potential.

In her complaint, Novotny asserts that Costco should have known the condition of the liquor cabinet posed an unreasonable risk to customers. She alleges that Costco failed to protect shoppers or provide adequate warning about the display's instability.

Costco's Legal Defense

Costco was served the lawsuit on May 7. Shortly afterward, its legal team requested that the case be moved from Alameda County Superior Court to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. That motion was granted on June 5.

The company also requested that Costco Wholesale Membership, Inc. be dismissed from the complaint, arguing that the membership entity does not own, operate, or manage the Santa Rosa location where the incident occurred. Novotny's legal team has yet to respond to that request.

Costco has not issued a public comment about the case, and attempts by reporters to reach Novotny's legal team have so far gone unanswered.

What Comes Next

Both parties are expected to appear in court in September for a case management meeting. Until then, the case highlights ongoing concerns about in-store safety and retail accountability.

While major warehouse stores are known for their towering displays and bulk products, this lawsuit brings attention to the potential risks if those displays aren't properly secured. Whether the court finds Costco liable or not, the case could influence how retailers manage floor models and product shelving moving forward.

The Bigger Picture

Novotny's lawsuit also underscores how a single shopping trip can change the course of someone's life. Once a practicing psychotherapist, Novotny now faces ongoing medical treatments and life-altering injuries.

As retail giants like Costco strive to provide expansive product offerings and interactive displays, this case serves as a sobering reminder: safety should never take a back seat.

References: Woman Sues Costco for Over $14 Million After Liquor Cabinet Allegedly Falls on Her While Shopping | California psychotherapist sues Costco for $14M after liquor cabinet fell on her, causing 'permanent injuries': lawsuit