How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 100 severe cases involving the mouth over the last decade. Amputations and avulsions account for 36% of these incidents, often resulting in permanent damage to teeth or soft tissue. These injuries frequently stem from high-impact events that leave you facing immediate and long-term medical needs.
Damage to your mouth impacts fundamental functions like speaking, eating, and breathing. Beyond the physical pain, these injuries often require multiple reconstructive surgeries and extensive dental work. This loss of function can significantly limit your ability to perform your job duties and maintain your quality of life.
How these injuries happen
Most mouth injuries occur when you are struck by propelled objects or substances, which account for 20% of reported cases. These incidents often involve materials or tools that strike your face unexpectedly. Falls on the same level also contribute significantly to these injuries, as you may land face-first on hard surfaces like concrete or steel.
| Cause | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Struck by propelled object or substance | 20 |
| 2 | Fall on same level | 16 |
| 3 | Other fall to lower level | 9 |
| 4 | Struck by propelled, falling, or suspended object— unspecified | 8 |
| 5 | Struck by falling object | 7 |
| 6 | Injured by object handled by person | 7 |
| 7 | Ingestion of harmful substance | 6 |
| 8 | Bitten or stung by animal | 5 |
Where injuries happen most
Construction accounts for 27% of all severe mouth injuries. You may face higher risks in this industry while navigating uneven terrain or working near heavy machinery, where a single slip or a falling object can cause devastating oral trauma. Manufacturing also presents significant risks, particularly where you handle chemicals or operate equipment.
Real cases like yours
Many reported incidents involve preventable failures, such as unmarked chemical containers or unsafe walking surfaces on scaffolds. You may suffer these injuries when safety protocols are ignored or when protective equipment is absent. If your injury resulted from a similar hazard or a failure in workplace safety, an attorney can help you review the specifics of your case.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | RI | Accommodation & Food Services | "A bartender tasted a small amount of an unknown liquid found behind a bar. He had a severe reaction to the liquid, which proved to be concentrated liquid detergent, and he suffered burns to the interior of the mouth. He was hospitalized and required surgery." | |
| 2025 | FL | Accommodation & Food Services | "An employee drank drain cleaner from an unmarked container, causing burns to their lips and mouth area. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2024 | AR | Wholesale Trade | "On October 21, 2024, an employee was navigating over materials while transitioning in and out of the door opening onto a debris catchment scaffold below. One of the walk boards on the scaffold failed, causing the employee to fall to the ground below. The employee sustained swelling above their left brow, on the left side of face, and on the right side of their lip, as well as bleeding and broken teeth. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2024 | FL | Construction | "An employee slipped while walking on steel girts loaded on flatbed trailer and fell striking the mast of a nearby, parked forklift. The employee sustained a laceration above his upper lip. The employee was hospitalized and required surgery." | |
| 2024 | IL | Information | "An employee entered a home to complete a work order and was bitten by a dog. The employee sustained lacerations to the upper lip that required surgery and hospitalization." | |
| 2024 | OH | Transportation & Warehousing | "An employee was delivering packages when a dog attacked her and tore off her bottom lip." | |
| 2023 | NJ | Construction | "An employee was leaf blowing to help clean the road. An excavator began backing up and caught the employee's foot, causing her to fall to the ground. The employee sustained the loss of a tooth, abrasions to the face and hand, and a cut to the foot." | |
| 2023 | LA | Construction | "An employee was working in a crew conducting pile driving at a bridge replacement site. A 1-inch-by-43-inch crane anemometer pole broke from a bracket and fell, striking the employee in the mouth. The employee sustained a fracture to the palate of their mouth." | |
| 2023 | IL | Administrative Services | "An employee was using a Johnson bar to pry a piece of concrete with the help of a skid steer. When the bar moved, the employee was struck in the mouth by it, resulting in a tooth avulsion and a mouth injury that required stitches." | |
| 2023 | MA | Professional Services | "An employee was using a stand-up forklift to remove pallets from a rack. The forklift tipped over and the employee's tongue was lacerated, requiring hospitalization." |
Source: OSHA Severe Injury Reports. Narratives are verbatim from filings; identifying details may have been redacted by OSHA.
Frequently asked questions
Workers' Compensation is designed to cover reasonable and necessary medical expenses, including dental surgery and reconstructive procedures required after a workplace accident. Because mouth injuries often involve long-term dental needs, it is important to ensure your claim accounts for future care. An attorney can help you document these needs to seek appropriate coverage.
Chemical burns to the mouth are serious injuries that often require immediate hospitalization and specialized care. Employers are required to provide proper training and labeling for hazardous substances to prevent such exposures. An attorney can help you determine if your employer failed to meet these safety standards.
Permanent disfigurement or scarring resulting from a workplace injury may qualify for additional compensation beyond basic medical bills. These claims often depend on the severity of the scar and how it affects your daily life or professional appearance. An attorney can help you evaluate your situation to see if you are eligible for permanent partial disability benefits.
Proving a workplace injury requires clear documentation, including incident reports, witness statements, and immediate medical records. It is vital to report the injury to your supervisor as soon as possible and seek medical attention to establish a timeline. An attorney can help you assist in gathering this evidence to build a strong claim for your benefits.