How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 9,650 severe cases involving floors and walkways over the last decade. Fractures account for 69% of these incidents, often requiring extensive medical intervention and long-term rehabilitation.
These injuries frequently impact the pelvic region and legs. The severity of these fractures often leads to significant time away from work and permanent physical limitations.
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Check My BenefitsHow these injuries happen
Falls on the same level account for 93% of all reported incidents involving these surfaces. These accidents occur when you encounter unexpected changes in floor elevation, slippery substances, or poorly maintained walking paths that cause you to lose your footing.
| Cause | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fall on same level | 8,926 |
| 2 | Other fall to lower level | 563 |
| 3 | Slip, trip, stumble on same level— without fall | 46 |
| 4 | Fall to lower level from collapsing structure or equipment | 20 |
| 5 | Struck by falling object | 13 |
| 6 | Compressed between running equipment and other object(s) | 12 |
| 7 | Slip, trip, stumble or fall on same level— fall unspecified | 6 |
| 8 | Fall to lower level— unspecified | 5 |
Where injuries happen most
Health care leads with 21% of these incidents, followed by retail trade at 20% and manufacturing at 19%. In these environments, high-traffic areas and the constant movement of staff and materials increase the likelihood of you encountering hazardous floor conditions.
Real cases like yours
Common patterns in these reports include you tripping over unexpected objects, stumbling on uneven surfaces, or slipping on floors during routine tasks. If any of these scenarios sound like what happened to you, an attorney can help you review the specifics of your incident to determine if your employer failed to maintain a safe environment.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | CO | Administrative Services | "An employee was picking up litter on the perimeter of the complex. He was outside the facility grounds by the railroad tracks when he tripped in the rocks and fell, striking his head and knees. The employee sustained a fractured knee." | |
| 2025 | TX | Construction | "An employee was airing up a trailer tire in the gas station parking lot. When he stepped backward, he tripped over an elevated fuel riser and suffered a fractured right femur." | |
| 2025 | GA | Retail Trade | "An employee had been performing administrative duties in the office at the front of the store. She was opening the office door for a co-worker when she stumbled backward and fell on the floor. The employee sustained a fractured left hip." | |
| 2025 | AL | Manufacturing | "On July 31, 2025, an employee was walking when they fell on the concrete floor. The employee sustained a fractured right femur." | |
| 2025 | KS | Health Care | "An employee entered a resident's room at 8:13 p.m., and was passing medication to the patient when they slipped and fell to the floor. The employee was hospitalized with a knee injury that required surgery." | |
| 2025 | MA | Manufacturing | "The injured employee was engaged in a conversation with other employees. When the injured employee turned to walk away, she tripped over a pallet in the packing area and fell to the floor. The employee sustained a dislocated shoulder and a humeral head fracture." | |
| 2025 | DC | Transportation & Warehousing | "An employee was using a floor machine and chemical floor stripper to strip the finish from the floor. The employee slipped backward on the wet floor and landed on their back. The employee was hospitalized with chemical burns caused by the floor stripper." | |
| 2025 | NE | Health Care | "An employee fell on the floor while walking in the facility. The employee was hospitalized with a fractured right hip." | |
| 2025 | NY | Health Care | "A housekeeper was cleaning near an automatic door when she lost her balance and fell on the floor. She sustained a fractured hip." | |
| 2025 | NY | Health Care | "An employee was sitting with a client in a dental exam room. When she stood up at the end of the appointment, her foot got caught on a cord that operates the dental hand pieces, causing her to trip and fall to the floor on her right side. The employee was hospitalized with a fractured femur and required surgery." |
Source: OSHA Severe Injury Reports. Narratives are verbatim from filings; identifying details may have been redacted by OSHA.