Costco shopper hit by falling display case: now she’s demanding $14 million in damages

Sadie Novotny, a Costco customer in California, has filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the retail chain following an accident that occurred on March 22 at the Santa Rosa store. According to court documents, a heavy display case used to showcase alcoholic beverages collapsed on her, causing severe and permanent injuries.

The lawsuit, originally filed in Alameda County Superior Court and later moved to a federal court in San Francisco, claims that Novotny suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of the impact. Her attorney, Claude Armand Wyle, told ABC News that she was taken to the hospital an hour after the incident after experiencing severe discomfort.

“Doctors diagnosed her with a concussion. She suffered a head injury. We don’t know how bad it is yet,” Wyle stated. According to the lawyer, Novotny continues to experience recurring headaches and vision problems as a consequence of the injury.

Details of the claim

Novotny is seeking more than $14 million in damages: $9 million for physical pain and suffering, $5 million for emotional distress, plus compensation for past and future medical expenses and lost wages totaling $2 million.

At the core of the lawsuit is an allegation of negligence by Costco. Novotny argues that the liquor display was improperly installed, resting on a “worn or defective” wooden pallet, creating an obvious safety hazard. The complaint asserts that the company failed to properly inspect or maintain the structure and did not warn customers of the danger.

According to her attorney, after the incident he requested access to the store’s surveillance footage but was denied by Costco. The company informed him that the footage could only be obtained through a formal discovery process in court. “That meant I had to file a lawsuit. I couldn’t investigate any further. I was stuck. If I wanted to get to the truth, I had to file a lawsuit,” Wyle said.

The case is now in the hands of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in San Francisco, with a case management conference scheduled for September 4, 2025. Meanwhile, Sadie Novotny’s legal team is preparing the necessary arguments and evidence to support her claims and hold the supermarket chain accountable.

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