Woman Injured at Santa Rosa Costco Sues for $14 Million

Santa Rosa, California – A Sonoma County woman is suing Costco Wholesale Corporation after a large display fell on her and caused serious injuries, including a traumatic brain injury. The incident occurred on March 22 at the Costco store located at 1900 Santa Rosa Ave., where Sadie Novotny was shopping.

Novotny filed her lawsuit on April 29 in Alameda County Superior Court, alleging negligence along with premises and product liability. It is unclear why she chose to file in the East Bay, as court records do not provide her city of residence.

As part of a recent filing, Costco is seeking to transfer the case to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in San Francisco, citing its headquarters in Washington state as a reason for the move.

According to Novotny’s complaint, she was pinned beneath a “large and heavy cabinet/bar or display” that fell from a defective wooden pallet. She reported suffering a closed head injury and a traumatic brain injury as a result of the incident.

Novotny is seeking approximately $14 million in damages, and a court appearance is scheduled for September. The case has drawn attention due to the severity of the injuries and the amount claimed in damages.