How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 12,821 cases involving same-level falls over the last decade. Fractures are the most common outcome, accounting for 68% of these reported incidents.
These events frequently target the pelvic region, which represents 22% of all reported injuries.
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Most of these incidents involve constructed surfaces, which account for 70% of all reported cases. You often face hazards from poorly maintained flooring, unexpected changes in surface elevation, or debris left in walkways that create immediate tripping risks.
| Injury Type | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fractures | 8,593 |
| 2 | Traumatic injuries or exposures— unspecified | 1,371 |
| 3 | Intracranial Injuries | 900 |
| 4 | Severe wounds or internal injuries and other injuries | 334 |
| 5 | Cuts, lacerations, punctures without injury to internal structures | 299 |
| 6 | Amputations, avulsions, enucleations | 226 |
| 7 | Injuries to internal organs and major blood vessels | 166 |
| 8 | Sprains, strains, tears | 157 |
Where injuries happen most
Health care leads all sectors with 19% of these incidents, as you often navigate fast-paced environments with potential spills or equipment obstructions. Retail trade and manufacturing follow closely, where high-traffic areas and floor maintenance standards directly influence the frequency of these falls.
Real cases like yours
Common patterns in these reports include you falling while performing routine tasks like walking between rooms, moving equipment, or navigating office spaces. These incidents often occur when floor conditions are not properly monitored or when unexpected obstacles are left in pathways. If any of these scenarios sound like what happened to you, an attorney can help you review the specifics of your claim.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | CO | Administrative Services | "An employee was picking up litter on the perimeter of the complex. He was outside the facility grounds by the railroad tracks when he tripped in the rocks and fell, striking his head and knees. The employee sustained a fractured knee." | |
| 2025 | TX | Construction | "An employee was airing up a trailer tire in the gas station parking lot. When he stepped backward, he tripped over an elevated fuel riser and suffered a fractured right femur." | |
| 2025 | GA | Retail Trade | "An employee had been performing administrative duties in the office at the front of the store. She was opening the office door for a co-worker when she stumbled backward and fell on the floor. The employee sustained a fractured left hip." | |
| 2025 | AL | Manufacturing | "On July 31, 2025, an employee was walking when they fell on the concrete floor. The employee sustained a fractured right femur." | |
| 2025 | KS | Health Care | "An employee entered a resident's room at 8:13 p.m., and was passing medication to the patient when they slipped and fell to the floor. The employee was hospitalized with a knee injury that required surgery." | |
| 2025 | MA | Manufacturing | "The injured employee was engaged in a conversation with other employees. When the injured employee turned to walk away, she tripped over a pallet in the packing area and fell to the floor. The employee sustained a dislocated shoulder and a humeral head fracture." | |
| 2025 | DC | Transportation & Warehousing | "An employee was using a floor machine and chemical floor stripper to strip the finish from the floor. The employee slipped backward on the wet floor and landed on their back. The employee was hospitalized with chemical burns caused by the floor stripper." | |
| 2025 | NE | Health Care | "An employee fell on the floor while walking in the facility. The employee was hospitalized with a fractured right hip." | |
| 2025 | NY | Health Care | "A housekeeper was cleaning near an automatic door when she lost her balance and fell on the floor. She sustained a fractured hip." | |
| 2025 | NY | Health Care | "An employee was sitting with a client in a dental exam room. When she stood up at the end of the appointment, her foot got caught on a cord that operates the dental hand pieces, causing her to trip and fall to the floor on her right side. The employee was hospitalized with a fractured femur and required surgery." |
Source: OSHA Severe Injury Reports. Narratives are verbatim from filings; identifying details may have been redacted by OSHA.