How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 45 severe cases involving gunshot wounds in recent reporting periods. These incidents almost exclusively result in severe trauma, with gunshot wounds accounting for 93% of all reported injury types in this category.
The physical toll of these events is extreme. Because these injuries often involve internal damage or spinal cord trauma, your long-term recovery process is intensive and requires specialized medical care.
Common injuries
Workplace shootings often stem from failures in security protocols or inadequate site management. In 31% of cases, the source of the injury is a criminal assailant, while another 18% involve coworkers. These incidents occur in environments ranging from parking lots to patient rooms, often during verbal altercations or attempted robberies where basic safety measures were absent.
| Injury Type | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gunshot wounds | 42 |
| 2 | Amputations, avulsions, enucleations | 1 |
| 3 | Spinal cord injuries, paralysis | 1 |
| 4 | Multiple severe wounds and internal injuries | 1 |
Where injuries happen most
Retail trade accounts for 44% of these severe incidents, largely due to the high volume of public interaction and the inherent risks of handling cash or goods. Employers in these settings have a duty to implement security measures that protect you from foreseeable criminal threats.
Real cases like yours
Reports show a recurring pattern of you being targeted during routine tasks like vehicle repossession, patient monitoring, or managing site access. These incidents often escalate from verbal disputes or unexpected intrusions that catch you off guard. If your experience involved a similar lack of security or an unaddressed threat, an attorney can help you review the specific circumstances of your case.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | OH | Health Care | "The injured employee was performing a one-on-one watch of a patient who had been brought to the emergency room. The patient became agitated while in the patient room. Security personnel provided assistance to de-escalate the patient s behavior. The patient lunged for a security guard s handgun and a struggle ensued between the patient and two security guards. The patient was able to place his hand on the weapon and it fired while still inside its holster. The injured employee was struck in the abdomen by a bullet while standing at the door opening. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | TX | Manufacturing | "An employee had been managing the site when an unknown individual came onto the site and shot them with a gun. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | TX | Transportation & Warehousing | "At 4:30 a.m. on June 20, 2025, an employee suffered a gunshot wound during a verbal altercation in a parking lot. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | MS | Professional Services | "An employee was towing away a vehicle for reposession. When the vehicle was on a lift, he was held at gunpoint and then shot. He was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | AL | Manufacturing | "Two employees got into a physical altercation in the parking lot and one employee was shot. The injured employee was hospitalized with a gunshot wound to their lower extremity." | |
| 2025 | IL | Health Care | "An employee was called to the emergency department to assist with de-escalating a patient. During the incident, the patient pulled a firearm out of their bag and began shooting. The employee was shot in the torso. They were hospitalized and required surgery." | |
| 2025 | LA | Other Services | "An employee and two volunteers were constructing a fence at a jobsite when they were victims of an armed robbery. The employee suffered bullet wounds to the his right forearm, left little and ring fingers, lower abdomen, chest, neck, and cheek, resulting in hospitalization and multiple surgeries. One of the volunteers also suffered gunshot injuries and was treated and released." | |
| 2025 | NY | Retail Trade | "An employee was on break in her car in the parking lot when an individual came out of a nearby store and began yelling at her. The employee was shot by this person three times in her torso/chest. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | FL | Retail Trade | "Two employees were working in the pharmacy when a customer discharged a firearm after a dispute. One employee was shot in the foot and was not hospitalized. The other employee was hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the abdomen and required surgery." | |
| 2025 | FL | Retail Trade | "An employee was breaking up a fight on the bar side of the liquor store. The individual being assaulted pulled a gun and shot another customer several times. Bullets went through the employee's hands. The employee sustained severe injuries to both hands requiring 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 generally covers injuries sustained during the course of employment, including those caused by third-party violence. Because the injury occurred while you were performing work duties, you are typically entitled to medical coverage and wage replacement. An attorney can help you ensure your claim is properly documented to reflect the work-related nature of the incident.
Employers have a legal obligation under the General Duty Clause to provide a safe environment, which includes protecting you from known security risks. If your employer failed to provide adequate security, lighting, or training to handle volatile situations, they may be held accountable for the resulting harm. An attorney can help you investigate whether your employer ignored known safety threats that led to your injury.
Recovery from a gunshot wound often requires extensive surgery, physical therapy, and long-term rehabilitation. Workers' Compensation should cover all reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to your injury, including ongoing care for internal or spinal damage. An attorney can help you verify that your benefits cover the full scope of your medical needs.
Employers sometimes attempt to deny claims by arguing that an incident was personal or unrelated to work duties. However, if you were on the clock or performing tasks for your employer, the law often supports your right to compensation. An attorney can help you gather evidence to challenge a denial and protect your rights.