Workplace Gunshot Injuries at Work — Injury Statistics and Claims Information
Workplace Gunshot Injuries at Work
Rising workplace violence requires immediate attention
OSHA recorded 45 severe cases of workplace shootings, with a 2025 forecast of 36 incidents. The vast majority of these events result in gunshot wounds, which often lead to life-altering trauma.
These incidents frequently impact the abdomen and trunk, causing severe internal organ injuries. The nature of these injuries often requires extensive hospitalization and long-term recovery for the affected workers.
What's Driving the Trend?
The data shows a clear concentration of incidents involving criminal assailants and co-workers. These events are often driven by failures in security protocols and a lack of adequate workplace violence prevention programs.
Retail trade accounts for 44.4 percent of these cases, reflecting the high vulnerability of public-facing environments. Health care settings also face significant risk, as staff are often exposed to volatile situations without sufficient protection.
Injury Types from Workplace Gunshot Injuries
Top causes based on OSHA incident reports
Workplace shootings typically occur during robberies, verbal altercations that escalate, or incidents involving agitated patients or clients. These events often involve firearms brought onto the premises by external assailants or, in some cases, individuals already present at the work site.
| 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 |
Why This Matters for Your Case
Employers have a legal obligation under the OSHA General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1), to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm. This includes implementing comprehensive workplace violence prevention plans tailored to the specific risks of the industry.
Industries with Most Workplace Gunshot Injuries
Where these injuries occur most frequently
Retail trade is the most affected sector, representing 44.4 percent of reported gunshot injuries. The open nature of retail environments and the handling of cash or high-value goods create predictable targets for criminal activity.
High-Risk Industries and Your Rights
In high-risk industries like retail and health care, employers must comply with standards that mandate security assessments and training. Failure to implement measures such as access control, emergency response protocols, or adequate staffing levels may constitute a violation of OSHA safety expectations.
Real Incident Reports
From actual OSHA investigation files
The documented incident reports reveal a pattern of sudden, violent encounters occurring in parking lots, patient rooms, and during service calls. These accounts frequently involve employees who are caught in the crossfire of disputes or targeted by individuals during the course of their daily duties.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
Common Questions About Workplace Gunshot Injuries 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.