Jaw and Chin at Work — Injury Statistics and Claims Information
Jaw and Chin at Work
Jaw injury reports are on the rise
OSHA has recorded 272 severe incidents involving the jaw and chin, with fractures accounting for 81.2% of these cases. These injuries often require complex surgical intervention and extended recovery periods, significantly impacting a worker's ability to speak, eat, and perform daily tasks.
The functional impact of a jaw injury extends far beyond the initial trauma. Workers often face long-term complications with dental alignment and jaw mobility, which can permanently alter their capacity to return to physically demanding roles or maintain their previous quality of life.
What's Driving the Trend?
Over the past decade, reports of severe jaw injuries have increased by 28.6%, with a notable 50% surge in the last five years alone. This upward trend is largely driven by preventable accidents involving heavy machinery, falls, and physical strikes from objects or co-workers.
Manufacturing and construction industries lead the reporting, accounting for 48.5% of all cases. These environments present high risks for jaw trauma due to the prevalence of heavy equipment, elevated work surfaces, and the constant movement of materials that can strike a worker unexpectedly.
How Jaw and Chin Injuries Happen
Top causes based on OSHA incident reports
Injuries to the jaw and chin frequently occur when workers are struck by propelled objects or involved in falls from heights. Whether it is a tool shifting during use, a fall from a ladder, or an unexpected collision with a co-worker, the force directed at the face often results in immediate and severe structural damage.
| Cause | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Struck by propelled object or substance | 42 |
| 2 | Hitting, kicking, beating by other person | 38 |
| 3 | Fall on same level | 30 |
| 4 | Other fall to lower level | 22 |
| 5 | Struck by falling object | 20 |
| 6 | Struck by suspended or swinging object | 19 |
| 7 | Injured by object handled by person | 12 |
| 8 | Struck by propelled, falling, or suspended object— unspecified | 10 |
Why This Matters for Your Case
Employers are legally obligated to mitigate these risks under 29 CFR 1910.132, which mandates the use of personal protective equipment to protect the face. When companies fail to enforce safety protocols or provide adequate guarding for machinery, they may be in violation of 29 CFR 1910.212, creating a clear pathway for legal accountability.
Industries with Most Jaw and Chin
Where these injuries occur most frequently
Manufacturing and construction sectors account for nearly half of all severe jaw injuries, with manufacturing alone responsible for 28.3% of reported cases. The high-paced nature of these industries, combined with the use of powerful industrial vehicles and heavy machinery, creates a constant risk of facial impact.
High-Risk Industries and Your Rights
Employers in these high-risk sectors must adhere to 29 CFR 1910.133, which requires eye and face protection when workers are exposed to hazards from flying objects or electrical arcs. Furthermore, 29 CFR 1926.501 mandates fall protection in construction, which is critical for preventing the falls that frequently lead to jaw fractures.
Real Incident Reports
From actual OSHA investigation files
The reported incidents reveal a recurring pattern of preventable trauma, ranging from falls on level surfaces to being struck by equipment during routine tasks. These narratives highlight how quickly a standard workday can turn into a medical emergency when safety protocols are overlooked or environmental hazards remain unsecured.
"An employee had clocked out and was waiting for a ride when he stepped off a curb and fell forward onto the ground. The employee sustained a fractured jaw, requiring hospitalization and surgery."
"An employee was moving an aerial lift across the mechanical room when he struck a hanging duct structure. The employee sustained lacerations to the face and a fractured jaw."
"On 6/11/2025, a lineman was removing a dead tree off of a powerline that had fallen due to thunderstorms. The employee cut the top of the tree to lessen the weight of the tree. He then hooked a jib line to the tree to lift it off the power line and place it on the ground. As he was moving his bucket into position, the tree shifted and fell, and the powerline released its tension. This caused a whipping effect and either the power line or the jib rope struck the employee's jaw. The employee was hospitalized with two fractures to his lower jaw."
"An employee was delivering a package to a house when a dog came through the storm door, jumped on the employee, and bit them in the lower jaw."
"An employee was working on a motorized screen when they fell approximately 3 feet from a step ladder to the ground. The employee sustained a face contusion and a fractured jaw."
"An employee was cutting with a miter saw when it bounced back and cut his chin, resulting in hospitalization."
"An employee was walking in the office area when she tripped on cables on the floor. She fell and struck her face against the corner of a wall, resulting in a severe laceration to her jaw."
"An employee was installing a metal plug into a machine. He was using a wrench to turn the metal plug a quarter turn more when the round plug weighing approximately 2 pounds failed and blew off from pressure, striking the employee in the face. The employee sustained facial lacerations and a fractured jaw."
"An employee was conducting a pressure test of sewer laterals. The pressure gauge dropped to 0 PSI. The employee checked the pipe and wiggled it. A 6 to 8 inch pipe shot out of the ground and struck the employee's jaw/chin. The employee sustained a fracture to the jaw and a laceration to the bottom of the chin. The employee was hospitalized. "
"An employee was walking around the site, inspecting the progress of a newly started project. The job was in the foundation stage and the upright rebar of the footings had just started to get placed and tied into the footers. The employee stepped over one of the footings and tripped. He landed on an upright rebar that punctured his lower jaw."
Common Questions About Jaw and Chin Claims
The ClaimsBoost Research Team aggregates official government data to help workers understand workplace injury trends and their coverage options.
ClaimsBoost is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. ClaimsBoost is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any government agency. Performance scores, rankings, and statistics displayed on this site are calculated by ClaimsBoost using publicly available government data from OSHA severe injury reports. Individual results may vary. Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice or a guarantee of benefits. If you need legal help, we can connect you with licensed attorneys in your area.Some written content on this page was created with the assistance of AI to help interpret and explain the data. AI can make mistakes — all content has been reviewed for accuracy, but we encourage you to verify any information that is important to your situation.