Imagine this: You’re walking through a Costco in Pasadena, casually browsing for furniture. Out of nowhere, a tall liquor cabinet tips forward and crashes onto you. One minute you’re shopping. The next, you’re on the ground, hurt, confused, and in pain.
That nightmare became reality for a Northern California woman who is now suing Costco for $14 million, claiming the store failed to secure a dangerously displayed product. Her story has captured headlines — and for good reason. It raises a powerful question: What happens when something meant to serve and support you ends up causing real harm?
If you’re injured by a product in California, whether in a store or at home, you have legal rights. This blog breaks them down.
What Is the Costco Lawsuit Really About?
According to the complaint, the woman was looking at furniture when a heavy liquor cabinet tipped over and struck her. She suffered serious injuries and is now pursuing damages for medical expenses, pain, emotional distress, and more.
This case brings together two areas of the law:
- Product liability: Was the item inherently dangerous or poorly made?
- Premises liability: Did the store fail to make the environment safe?
These aren’t just legal technicalities. They’re about trust. We trust that stores won’t put us in danger and that products won’t fail us. When that trust is broken, someone should be held accountable.
Who Can Be Held Responsible When a Product Causes Injury?
More than one party can be at fault when someone gets hurt by a product:
- The manufacturer, if there was a defect in design or assembly.
- The retailer, if the item was displayed or stored unsafely.
- A contractor or installer, if they failed to secure the product correctly.
What matters most is proving that someone knew or should have known the product posed a risk — and failed to fix it.
How Do I Know If I Have a Valid Product Liability Claim?
You don’t have to be an expert to ask the right questions:
- Was the product being used as expected?
- Did it fall, tip, break, or otherwise cause injury through no fault of your own?
- Did that incident lead to real harm — physical, emotional, or financial?
If so, California law gives you the right to pursue justice.
Defective product claims typically fall into one of three buckets:
- Design flaws: Even properly manufactured, the product is unsafe by nature.
- Manufacturing defects: Something went wrong during production.
- Failure to warn: Critical safety instructions or warnings were missing.
But in cases like the Costco cabinet, it’s not always about the product itself. Unsafe placement or installation can be just as dangerous.
What Should I Do If a Product Injures Me?
Your actions in the moments and days after the injury matter. Here’s what to focus on:
- Get medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor.
- Document everything — photos, witness names, what happened, and where.
- Report the incident to the business or store and request a copy of the report.
- Do not sign or agree to anything without speaking to an attorney.
- Preserve the product and anything related to it, like packaging or receipts.
- Talk to a qualified injury attorney who understands both product and premises liability law.
You shouldn’t have to navigate this alone.
How Long Do I Have to Act?
California generally allows you two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury claim. But don’t let that lull you into waiting.
Evidence disappears. Security footage gets deleted. Witness memories fade. The sooner you act, the better your chances of building a strong case.
What Can I Be Compensated For?
The law doesn’t just recognize your injuries — it allows you to be made whole. You may be eligible for compensation for:
- Medical bills and rehabilitation
- Lost income or reduced ability to work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Long-term or permanent disability
And in extreme cases, if the store or manufacturer acted with reckless disregard, punitive damages may also apply.
FAQ: Product Injury Claims in California
Can I sue even if the product wasn’t broken but fell on me?
Yes. Liability can apply when a product is improperly stored, anchored, or displayed; even if it’s not defective in the traditional sense.
What if I was partially at fault?
California follows a comparative fault rule, meaning your compensation may be reduced based on your share of the blame. but you can still recover damages.
Do I need to keep the product to file a claim?
Keeping the product strengthens your case, but it’s not always required. Photos, store reports, and witness statements can also help prove what happened.
What if the store’s insurance company contacts me?
Do not speak to them directly without legal counsel. Their goal is to minimize payouts. An experienced attorney can protect your rights.
Let Us Help You Take Back Control
At Westside Injury Lawyers, we understand how life can change in a moment. If you were hurt by a product — whether at a Costco or in your own home — you deserve answers, accountability, and a clear path forward.
Call us today at (877) 834-1311 or reach out for a case review.
You pay nothing unless we win.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For free case review of your situation, you can schedule a consultation HERE: