How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 810 severe cases involving animal encounters over the last decade. The most frequent injuries are cuts, lacerations, and punctures, which account for 37% of all reported incidents.
These injuries often result in significant recovery time and medical expenses. If you have been injured on the job, an attorney can help you navigate your Workers' Compensation claim.
Common injuries
Most of these injuries involve direct contact with mammals, which account for 47% of all recorded sources. You are often injured while performing routine tasks, such as veterinary exams, site inspections in remote areas, or navigating outdoor work zones where wildlife is present.
| Injury Type | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Effects of poison, toxic, or allergenic exposure— unspecified | 319 |
| 2 | Cuts, lacerations, punctures without injury to internal structures | 293 |
| 3 | Surface and flesh wounds— unspecified | 59 |
| 4 | Amputations, avulsions, enucleations | 45 |
| 5 | Fractures | 18 |
| 6 | Traumatic injuries or exposures— unspecified | 16 |
| 7 | Multiple surface and flesh wounds | 13 |
| 8 | Severe wounds or internal injuries and other injuries | 8 |
Where injuries happen most
Transportation and warehousing accounts for 22% of these incidents, largely due to you entering environments where animals are present. Professional services also see high rates of injury, as you interact directly with animals that may act unpredictably.
Real cases like yours
Many incidents involve you performing routine duties and being suddenly attacked by animals you did not expect to encounter. Whether you are a veterinary professional handling a patient or a field worker surprised by a venomous snake, these injuries often occur without warning. If any of these scenarios sound like what happened to you, an attorney can help you review the specifics of your incident.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | MO | Professional Services | "A veterinarian was listening to a cat's heart when the cat bit their left thumb. The employee was hospitalized for treatment. " | |
| 2025 | TX | Mining | "An employee was monitoring a screen in the PLC room when he was bitten by a rattlesnake on the back of his right calf." | |
| 2025 | RI | Wholesale Trade | "An employee was walking through a remote location on the worksite looking for spare parts. The employee was stung by a bee, suffered a severe reaction, and was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | TX | Construction | "An employee was getting out of a car when a rattlesnake bit him below the right knee." | |
| 2025 | FL | Professional Services | "An employee was entering an exam room to perform a veterinary exam on a dog when the dog bit her face, resulting in hospitalization for a puncture injury." | |
| 2025 | OH | Accommodation & Food Services | "On July 10, 2025, an employee was stung by a bee while working at a drive-through window. She suffered an allergic reaction and was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | CO | Construction | "An employee was performing mowing operations while operating a skid steer at a worksite. The employee noticed several flat panels lying on the ground and went to move them with the skid steer. The panels began to shift on the forks as they were lifted. He exited the skid steer to readjust the panels and was bitten on his left thumb by a rattlesnake that had been pinned beneath the load." | |
| 2025 | IL | Administrative Services | "An employee was landscaping when he was stung by three bees on his back and was hospitalized with an allergic reaction." | |
| 2025 | MO | Other Services | "An employee was participating in playtime with a cat. She was petting the cat when the cat bit her right hand. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | TX | Professional Services | "An employee was restraining a cat so a sterile urine sample could be obtained. The cat bit the employee's left middle finger. The wound had to be debrided and the employee was later hospitalized with an infection in the joint." |
Source: OSHA Severe Injury Reports. Narratives are verbatim from filings; identifying details may have been redacted by OSHA.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if the injury occurred while you were performing your job duties, it is generally covered under Workers' Compensation. Your employer is responsible for providing a safe environment, which includes assessing risks from local wildlife or animals in your care. An attorney can help you determine if your specific situation qualifies for benefits.
Seek medical attention immediately, especially if you experience signs of an allergic reaction or if the wound is deep. Report the incident to your supervisor right away to ensure an official record is created. Consulting with an attorney early can help you document the event correctly for your claim.
Workers' Compensation is typically the exclusive remedy for workplace injuries, meaning you cannot sue your employer directly in most cases. However, if a third party was responsible for the animal or if your employer failed to provide necessary safety equipment, you may have additional legal options. An attorney can help you evaluate whether a third-party claim is possible.
Employers must assess the worksite for potential hazards, including the presence of dangerous animals, and provide appropriate training or protective gear. If your employer failed to warn you of known risks or denied you necessary safety equipment, they may be liable for your injuries. An attorney can help you investigate whether your employer met these safety obligations.