How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 12,821 severe incidents involving same-level falls over the last decade. Fractures account for 68% of these cases, representing the most common and debilitating injury type you may report.
These events frequently target the pelvic region, which accounts for 22% of all reported injuries. Because these falls often occur on hard constructed surfaces, the impact frequently leads to complex surgeries and extended recovery periods.
Common injuries
Most of these incidents involve constructed surfaces, which account for 70% of all reported sources. You often fall when navigating floors that are poorly maintained, cluttered with debris, or slick from spills. Whether it is an elevated fuel riser in a parking lot or a simple wet floor in a retail aisle, these hazards are often the result of preventable safety oversights.
| 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 reported cases, as you frequently navigate fast-paced environments with potential floor hazards. Retail trade and manufacturing follow closely, where high-traffic areas and the presence of industrial equipment create constant risks for slips and trips.
Real cases like yours
Common patterns in these reports include you falling while performing routine tasks like passing medication, opening doors, or walking across facility grounds. These incidents often occur when an unexpected obstacle or surface condition disrupts your path. If any of these scenarios sound like what happened to you, an attorney can help you review the specifics of your incident to determine your legal options.
| 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.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Workers' Compensation is designed to cover your medical expenses and lost wages for injuries sustained while performing your job duties. Because fractures often require surgery and significant time off, these claims are common in the Workers' Compensation system. An attorney can help you ensure your claim is documented correctly to cover your full recovery needs.
In most cases, Workers' Compensation is the exclusive remedy for your workplace injuries, meaning you cannot sue your employer directly. However, if a third party was responsible for the hazard or if your employer committed a specific safety violation, other legal avenues may exist. An attorney can help you evaluate the facts of your case to see if you have grounds for a claim beyond standard benefits.
OSHA requires your employer to keep all places of employment in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition under 29 CFR 1910.22. This includes keeping floors free of hazards like water, grease, or debris and ensuring that walking surfaces are maintained in a safe condition. If your employer failed to address known hazards, an attorney can help you use this information to strengthen your claim.
Recovery times for pelvic fractures vary significantly depending on the severity of the break and whether surgery is required. You may face months of physical therapy and restricted duty before you can return to your previous role. An attorney can help you navigate the process of securing benefits that account for both your immediate medical costs and your long-term rehabilitation.