How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 42 severe cases involving bodily motion or position over the last decade. Fractures are the most common injury type, accounting for 36% of these incidents and often requiring extensive medical intervention.
These injuries frequently target the lower extremities, with knees and ankles representing 36% of all reported body part impacts. The resulting trauma often leads to long-term mobility issues and significant time away from your job.
Common injuries
Injuries during routine walking often stem from hazardous site conditions such as uneven terrain, protruding objects, or poorly maintained walking surfaces. You may suffer these injuries when navigating construction sites, warehouse floors, or residential delivery routes where ground stability is compromised. These incidents are rarely simple accidents, as they often result from your employer's failure to maintain safe walking paths or clear debris from work areas.
| Injury Type | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fractures | 15 |
| 2 | Traumatic injuries or exposures— unspecified | 8 |
| 3 | Sprains, strains, tears | 7 |
| 4 | Ischemic heart disease, including heart attack | 2 |
| 5 | Dislocations | 2 |
| 6 | Damage to prosthetic devices and aids | 1 |
| 7 | Multiple soft tissue injuries | 1 |
| 8 | Blisters | 1 |
Where injuries happen most
Transportation and warehousing accounts for 21% of these incidents, as you navigate fast-paced environments with shifting floor surfaces. Construction sites also present risks due to uneven dirt terrain and constant site changes, while administrative services workers often face these hazards while performing delivery duties at residential locations.
Real cases like yours
Common patterns in these reports involve you navigating uneven ground or shifting your weight while performing routine tasks, leading to sudden ankle rolls or knee hyperextensions. Many incidents occur when you encounter unexpected surface changes or protruding hazards that cause a loss of balance. If any of these scenarios sound like what happened to you, an attorney can help you review the specifics of your incident.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | PA | Other Services | "An employee was looking for a part in the back of their work van. Their foot landed on an uneven surface, and the employee shifted their weight backward and changed direction, resulting in a sprained right ankle. A metal pin protruding from the lid of a storage container also punctured their right ankle, resulting in a bacterial infection." | |
| 2025 | FL | Information | "An employee was about to install a cable at a residential site. While setting up a ladder, he stepped back on an uneven street surface and hyperextended his knee. He dislocated his knee and tore his patellar tendon." | |
| 2025 | FL | Construction | "An employee was walking on the dirt ground at a construction site when he rolled his right ankle due to uneven ground, resulting in a torn ligament." | |
| 2025 | GA | Administrative Services | "An employee was walking up to a residential home to deliver a package. The employee pushed off his right foot, fracturing his right ankle. " | |
| 2025 | AR | Administrative Services | "An employee was walking on dirt terrain and rolled their right foot/ankle, breaking the ankle." | |
| 2024 | TX | Construction | "An employee was walking on level, grassy ground when he suffered a broken left knee at the distal end of the femur. He was hospitalized and required surgery." | |
| 2024 | FL | Accommodation & Food Services | "An employee was unloading boxes when they stepped back and fractured their knee." | |
| 2023 | LA | Wholesale Trade | "An employee was walking to deliver cylinders when his right knee gave out. He sustained a torn quadricep on the right knee." | |
| 2022 | CO | Public Administration | "An employee was walking up a jetway after exiting an aircraft when they felt a sharp pain in their lower back and they collapsed to the floor. The employee sustained a herniated disc that was compressing on the sciatic nerve." | |
| 2021 | GA | Administrative Services | "While climbing a hill, an employee collapsed and suffered a heart attack." |
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 injuries that occur in the course of your employment, regardless of whether the activity was complex or routine. If your injury occurred while performing your job duties, you are generally eligible for benefits. An attorney can help you document the incident to ensure your claim is processed correctly.
Employers often label injuries as simple accidents to avoid addressing underlying safety failures, but you still have rights to medical care and wage replacement. Documentation of the specific surface conditions or hazards that caused your fall is essential for your claim. An attorney can help you gather evidence to show that your employer failed to provide a safe working environment.
Fractures are serious injuries that often require surgery, physical therapy, and significant recovery time, making them fully eligible for Workers' Compensation benefits. These injuries can lead to permanent limitations, which may entitle you to additional compensation beyond basic medical coverage. An attorney can help you evaluate the long-term impact of your fracture on your ability to work.
Employers are required to maintain safe walking-working surfaces and ensure that areas where you move are free from known hazards like uneven ground or protruding objects. When your employer fails to address these risks, they may be held accountable for the resulting injuries. An attorney can help you determine if your employer violated safety standards that contributed to your injury.