How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 43 severe cases of cold exposure between 2016 and 2025. The data shows that your fingers are the most vulnerable, accounting for 43% of all reported incidents.
These injuries often lead to permanent tissue damage, nerve sensitivity, and long-term loss of dexterity. For you, the resulting functional limitations can significantly impact your ability to perform manual tasks and maintain your previous earning capacity.
What causes Cold Exposure Injuries
Environmental conditions are the primary driver of these injuries, accounting for 77% of all reported cases. Most incidents occur when you are exposed to extreme outdoor temperatures or work in refrigerated storage areas without adequate protective gear. In other instances, contact with cold objects like pressurized gas lines or cryogenic substances causes immediate, severe tissue damage.
| Cause | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exposure to environmental cold | 33 |
| 2 | Contact with cold objects or substances | 8 |
| 3 | Exposure to harmful substance through exposed tissue | 1 |
| 4 | Capsized or sinking water vehicle (non collision) | 1 |
Where injuries happen most
Transportation and warehousing accounts for 37% of severe cold exposure cases. You may face high-risk conditions when loading or unloading shipments in freezing temperatures or repairing equipment in unheated spaces. Manufacturing and wholesale trade also see elevated risks, typically involving the handling of pressurized gases or maintenance work inside industrial freezers.
Real cases like yours
Common patterns in these reports involve equipment failures, such as malfunctioning lift gates or leaking propane lines, alongside inadequate personal protective equipment during cold weather tasks. Many incidents occur during routine maintenance or loading operations where the risk of exposure is underestimated. 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 | IL | Construction | "An employee was replacing electric lights inside a freezer at a store. He developed frostbite in his fingers and was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | IL | Retail Trade | "An employee was pumping liquid propane from a propane delivery truck to a storage tank. After the transfer was completed, the employee closed the valves and disconnected the transfer hose. During the transfer, the liquid propane auto-refrigerated the riser pipe of the storage tank and that delayed the vaporization of the propane. Upon reaching a higher temperature, liquified propane began rapidly expanding. Liquid propane then discharged from the pipe and contacted the employee, causing cold burns. The employee was hospitalized for second-degree burns to their torso and arms. " | |
| 2025 | FL | Manufacturing | "An employee was changing out a propane cylinder on a powered industrial truck when liquid petroleum gas contacted his hands. The employee sustained second-degree burns to his hands." | |
| 2025 | OK | Mining | "An employee was working on an oil and gas drilling rig and tripping pipe out of the hole. After the employee finished work and took off his gloves, he noticed his fingers had frostbite." | |
| 2025 | WI | Transportation & Warehousing | "On January 21, 2025, an employee was unloading a shipment of slot machines from a delivery truck. The truck's lift gate battery failed, preventing the use of the lift. The employee disconnected the vehicle engine battery and connected it to the lift gate battery to provide a power boost. While the employee was repairing the liftgate, their hands were exposed to extreme cold weather. The employee was hospitalized with frostbite to both hands, including their fingers and thumbs." | |
| 2024 | PA | Wholesale Trade | "An employee was unloading a truck and sustained frostbite to his left index finger due to cold temperatures." | |
| 2024 | NJ | Administrative Services | "A temporary employee was injured after working with dry ice while wearing the gloves that were not suited to the task. He was hospitalized on May 29, 2024, and had three fingertips amputated." | |
| 2024 | KY | Construction | "An employee was leaving a work site on a barge due to adverse weather conditions. While on their way back to shore in a small boat, the boat went up a large swell and when it came back down, it went bow first into another swell and was immediately swamped. All the boat passengers fell into the river water, which was approximately 49.8 Fahrenheit. One employee was hospitalized with hypothermia." | |
| 2024 | IL | Wholesale Trade | "An employee was dropping off trailer and tractor equipment when his left hand sustained severe frostbite. He was hospitalized." | |
| 2023 | NH | Wholesale Trade | "An employee was selecting in a freezer and sustained frostbite to fingers on both hands. The employee was hospitalized." |
Source: OSHA Severe Injury Reports. Narratives are verbatim from filings; identifying details may have been redacted by OSHA.
Frequently asked questions
Recovery from severe frostbite depends on the depth of your tissue damage and whether complications like infection or nerve damage occur. You may require weeks or months of specialized care, and you might experience permanent sensitivity to cold or chronic pain. An attorney can help you document the full extent of your medical needs to ensure your claim reflects your long-term recovery.
Yes, Workers' Compensation is designed to cover injuries that occur during the course of your employment, including cold burns from leaking refrigerants or pressurized gases. If your injury was caused by faulty equipment or a lack of safety protocols, you may be entitled to medical benefits and wage replacement. An attorney can help you evaluate the circumstances of your injury to secure the benefits you deserve.
Your employer is required to provide a safe working environment, which includes supplying appropriate thermal protective gear and implementing safety procedures for handling cold substances or working in extreme temperatures. Failure to provide necessary equipment or training may constitute a violation of safety standards. An attorney can help you investigate whether your employer met these obligations and how it impacts your claim.
Returning to work with permanent nerve damage often requires medical accommodations or a transition to different job duties. If your injury prevents you from performing your previous tasks, you may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation or permanent disability benefits. An attorney can help you guide you through the process of requesting accommodations and protecting your rights throughout your recovery.