Shoulder at Work — Injury Statistics and Claims Information
Shoulder at Work
Shoulder injuries remain a persistent workplace risk
OSHA has recorded 625 severe shoulder, clavicle, and scapula injuries over the last decade. Fractures account for 48 percent of these cases, while dislocations represent another 17 percent of reported incidents.
The shoulder is essential for nearly every physical task, from lifting materials to operating machinery. A severe injury here frequently results in a loss of range of motion, which can prevent a worker from returning to their previous job duties.
What's Driving the Trend?
Annual incident counts have fluctuated, reaching a high of 94 cases in 2018 before settling into a range between 54 and 67 cases in recent years. These injuries are primarily driven by fall hazards, which remain the most frequent cause of severe shoulder trauma.
Construction and manufacturing industries report the highest volume of these injuries, totaling 40 percent of all cases. Workers in these sectors face constant exposure to elevated surfaces and heavy machinery, which significantly increases the risk of high-impact shoulder trauma.
How Shoulder Injuries Happen
Top causes based on OSHA incident reports
Falls are the primary driver of shoulder injuries, accounting for 63 percent of all reported cases. Whether a worker falls from a ladder or trips on a level surface, the shoulder often absorbs the force of the impact when a person attempts to break their fall.
| Cause | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fall on same level | 213 |
| 2 | Other fall to lower level | 173 |
| 3 | Struck by falling object | 38 |
| 4 | Struck by propelled object or substance | 17 |
| 5 | Struck by rolling powered vehicle or machinery | 15 |
| 6 | Caught, entangled in running powered equipment— normal operation | 15 |
| 7 | Hitting, kicking, beating by other person | 13 |
| 8 | Injured by object handled by person | 12 |
Why This Matters for Your Case
Employers are required to provide fall protection under 29 CFR 1926.501 for construction sites and 29 CFR 1910.28 for general industry. When these safety standards are ignored, workers are left vulnerable to the exact fall hazards that cause the majority of shoulder fractures and dislocations.
Industries with Most Shoulder
Where these injuries occur most frequently
Construction and manufacturing lead all sectors in shoulder injuries, representing 21 percent and 19 percent of cases respectively. These environments require frequent overhead reaching, heavy lifting, and navigation of uneven or elevated surfaces, all of which place extreme stress on the shoulder joint.
High-Risk Industries and Your Rights
OSHA mandates specific safety protocols to protect workers, including 29 CFR 1910.132 for personal protective equipment and 29 CFR 1910.22 regarding the maintenance of walking-working surfaces. Employers must ensure that stairways, scaffolds, and floor surfaces are free of hazards to prevent the falls that frequently result in severe shoulder trauma.
Real Incident Reports
From actual OSHA investigation files
Reported incidents frequently involve workers falling from heights or tripping over workplace debris, often while performing routine tasks like moving materials or troubleshooting equipment. These narratives highlight a recurring failure to utilize fall protection or maintain clear walkways, leading to preventable fractures and dislocations.
"An employee was removing forms from a foundation when he fell 17 feet to the ground below. The employee suffered a scapula fracture and bruising to the torso that required hospitalization. Fall protection was not worn at the time."
"On December 26, 2023, an employee went out to the parking lot to troubleshoot the starter of an SUV. The employee was underneath the vehicle when it started and moved and the employee's middle back area was caught under the front passenger-side tire. The employee sustained a fractured collar bone."
"On December 17, 2023, an employee was in the back room of a store throwing trash away when her feet got caught on some shrink wrap attached to a pallet, causing her to trip and fall to the ground. The employee suffered a fracture to her left shoulder."
"An employee was talking with co-workers when they tripped and fell to the floor, resulting in a shoulder injury."
"An employee was bringing a pallet jack to the edge of a truck when he stumbled and fell approximately 5 feet to the ground. The employee fractured his left shoulder."
"An employee was walking in a hallway when she tripped and fell on her right side. She sustained a fractured shoulder and injuries to a wrist and knee."
"An employee was performing maintenance while on a ladder. The employee fell from the ladder to the ground and sustained a fractured shoulder."
"An employee was walking behind a service desk when they tripped over a box on the floor and fell, resulting in a dislocated left shoulder and a fractured right shoulder."
"An employee was leaving for lunch. The wheel of her knee scooter struck a divot in the floor which caused her to fall into a metal rack. The employee sustained a broken right shoulder."
"An employee tripped while walking down a hallway and fell on her left shoulder, resulting in a fracture."
Common Questions About Shoulder 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.