How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 355 severe cases involving gunshot wounds over the last decade. These injuries often cause complex trauma that requires extensive surgical intervention and long-term rehabilitation.
A gunshot wound often results in permanent functional loss or chronic pain. Beyond the immediate physical damage, these injuries frequently lead to significant time away from work and lasting impacts on your ability to perform your previous job duties.
What causes Gunshot Wounds
Most gunshot injuries in the workplace stem from direct interpersonal violence. While accidental discharges occur, 72% of these severe incidents are caused by hitting, kicking, or beating by another person, often escalating into armed conflict. These events frequently occur in public-facing roles where you have little control over the security of your environment.
| Cause | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hitting, kicking, beating by other person | 226 |
| 2 | Shooting by other person | 42 |
| 3 | Violent acts by other person— unspecified | 34 |
| 4 | Gun discharge— accidental or intent unknown | 12 |
| 5 | Struck by propelled object or substance | 1 |
Where injuries happen most
Retail trade accounts for 27% of all severe gunshot cases, as you are frequently exposed to external threats and volatile customer interactions in these environments. Accommodation and food services account for 12% of cases, where the combination of cash handling and public access creates environments where security failures can lead to life-altering injuries.
Real cases like yours
These incidents often involve security failures, such as inadequate DE-escalation protocols, or accidental discharges during the handling of firearms by coworkers. Whether your injury resulted from an external assailant or a workplace equipment failure, these reports highlight a pattern of preventable risk. 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 | 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 | IL | Administrative Services | "On June 25, 2025, a security employee was walking into a facility ahead of their shift when their firearm discharged. The employee suffered a gunshot wound to the right leg." | |
| 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 | AR | Accommodation & Food Services | "An employee was showing a handgun to co-worker when it discharged and a bullet struck the co-worker's leg." | |
| 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." |
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 you sustain during the course of employment, including those caused by workplace violence. Even if the injury was caused by a third party, your employer may still be liable if the incident occurred while you were performing your job duties. An attorney can help you determine if your specific circumstances qualify for benefits.
Employers have a duty to provide a safe workplace, which may include implementing security measures to protect you from foreseeable violence. If your employer ignored known risks or failed to follow safety protocols, this could strengthen your claim for compensation. An attorney can investigate whether your employer met their legal obligations to keep you safe.
Recovery timelines vary significantly based on the severity of the wound. You may require multiple surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term medical care to regain function. An attorney can help ensure your claim accounts for both your immediate medical bills and the potential for long-term disability.
An injury caused by a coworker's negligence is typically covered under the Workers' Compensation system, regardless of intent. You should report the incident to your supervisor immediately and seek medical attention to document the extent of your injuries. An attorney can help you navigate the reporting process and protect your rights to fair compensation.