Workplace Violence at Work — Injury Statistics and Claims Information
Workplace Violence at Work
Incidents remain stable despite recent fluctuations
OSHA recorded 1,009 severe incidents involving physical assault over the last decade, with an average of 98 cases reported annually. These events frequently result in severe outcomes, including 226 cases of gunshot wounds and 198 fractures that require immediate medical intervention.
The physical toll of these encounters is significant, with 147 reported cases of intracranial injuries and 219 instances involving multiple body parts. Victims often face long-term recovery from blunt force trauma, brain injuries, and internal organ damage caused by these violent interactions.
What's Driving the Trend?
While the 10-year trend shows stability, the year-over-year data indicates a 70.2% increase in reported cases as of the most recent period. Criminal assailants remain the primary source of these injuries, followed closely by co-workers and patients who collectively drive the majority of reported violence.
Health care and retail trade sectors bear the highest burden, accounting for over 50% of all reported incidents. These environments often lack the necessary security protocols or staffing levels required to manage volatile interactions with patients and customers effectively.
Injury Types from Workplace Violence
Top causes based on OSHA incident reports
Workplace violence often manifests when employees are exposed to unpredictable behavior from patients, customers, or even fellow staff members. These incidents frequently occur during routine tasks, such as providing medical care, managing retail transactions, or performing repairs, where an assailant may suddenly strike, kick, or use a weapon. The presence of high-stress environments, such as medical facilities or retail stores, creates conditions where verbal altercations can rapidly escalate into physical battery.
| Injury Type | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gunshot wounds | 226 |
| 2 | Fractures | 198 |
| 3 | Intracranial Injuries | 147 |
| 4 | Cuts, lacerations, punctures without injury to internal structures | 132 |
| 5 | Traumatic injuries or exposures— unspecified | 85 |
| 6 | Severe wounds or internal injuries and other injuries | 29 |
| 7 | Amputations, avulsions, enucleations | 25 |
| 8 | Injuries to internal organs and major blood vessels | 23 |
Why This Matters for Your Case
Employers have a legal obligation under the OSHA General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1), to protect workers from recognized hazards, including the threat of physical violence. When an employer fails to implement adequate security measures, staff training, or emergency response protocols, they may be in violation of these federal safety requirements. Documenting the lack of safety policies is a critical step in understanding employer liability after an assault.
Industries with Most Workplace Violence
Where these injuries occur most frequently
Health care and retail trade industries account for 50.5% of all severe violence cases, reflecting the inherent risks of working in high-traffic, public-facing roles. In health care, staff are frequently exposed to patients in distress, while retail workers face risks from customers and shoplifters in environments that often lack sufficient security personnel.
High-Risk Industries and Your Rights
Employers in high-risk sectors must adhere to OSHA guidelines regarding workplace violence prevention, which emphasize the implementation of security systems, access controls, and comprehensive staff training. Failure to maintain a safe environment under 29 CFR 1904.39 reporting standards or to address known security gaps can form the basis of a claim. Employers are expected to assess their specific site risks and provide the necessary protections to mitigate the threat of physical harm to their employees.
Real Incident Reports
From actual OSHA investigation files
Reported incidents consistently show a pattern of sudden, unprovoked attacks occurring during the performance of daily work duties. Victims are frequently struck in the head or face by assailants, leading to concussions, brain bleeds, and broken bones. These narratives highlight a recurring failure to provide a secure environment, whether through inadequate staffing in medical settings or a lack of protection against external threats in retail and service locations.
"The injured employee was working from the cab of the debarker when a former employee approached. There was an argument and the former employee struck the injured employee in the head. The injured employee ended up on the ground as the former employee continued to hit him. The injured employee was bleeding from his head, had internal bleeding, and sustained a concussion."
"Two employees engaged in a verbal altercation. The injured employee was punched in the face and fell, hitting their head on the concrete floor. The employee sustained a brain bleed and blunt force trauma to the face."
"An employee was on the phone with his supervisor when a patient walked up and punched him. The employee was knocked to the floor and the patient kicked him multiple times causing injuries to his head, left cheek, left eye, mouth, and right hand. The employee sustained a traumatic brain injury/concussion and a left periorbital edema."
"An employee had just completed a repair at a customer's store and was leaving via the main entrance. A suspected shoplifter ran by (while being chased by the police) and shoved the employee into a shelving unit. The employee suffered a broken elbow and a chin laceration and was hospitalized, requiring surgery."
"An employee was providing care to patients when another patient attempted to enter the room and attacked the employee. She was kicked, punched, and thrown to the ground. The employee sustained a concussion and was knocked unconscious. The employee was hospitalized for injuries that included a broken collar bone, broken ribs, and a punctured lung."
"An employee was working to redirect a patient back to their bed when the patient punched the right side of the employee's head/eye area with a closed fist. The employee sustained a subarachnoid hemorrhage."
"A housekeeper was cleaning inside a room. She was attacked by another person and suffered injuries to facial bones and the head."
"An employee was struck by a patient in the chest and fell to the floor, with the patient falling onto them. The employee suffered a head injury."
"An employee was providing a therapeutic escort for an agitated patient. The patient began fighting and bit off the employee's fingertip, resulting in a fingertip amputation."
"An employee was getting up off a couch as a client was aggressive. The client kicked the employee, causing him to fall over the arm of the couch and land on the floor. The employee was hospitalized with a fractured left hip."
Common Questions About Workplace Violence 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.