How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 350 severe cases involving criminal assailants over the past decade. Gunshot wounds account for 46 percent of these incidents, representing the most frequent and life-altering injury type reported.
Violence in the workplace often results in severe trauma. These injuries frequently lead to long-term physical and psychological recovery needs that require comprehensive medical support.
How these injuries happen
The vast majority of these injuries occur when an assailant hits, kicks, or beats you. These incidents often unfold during routine interactions, such as security interventions or shoplifting attempts, where the situation escalates into physical violence before you can retreat to safety.
| Cause | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hitting, kicking, beating by other person | 314 |
| 2 | Violent acts by other person— unspecified | 14 |
| 3 | Shooting by other person | 14 |
| 4 | Stabbing, cutting, slashing by other person | 6 |
| 5 | Intentional violence by other person— n.e.c. | 1 |
Where injuries happen most
Retail trade accounts for 43 percent of all reported assault cases, as you are frequently exposed to the public and potential criminal activity in these environments. The high volume of customer interaction combined with limited security measures creates a high-risk environment for you.
Real cases like yours
Common patterns in these reports involve you being targeted while performing daily tasks, such as confronting shoplifters or working in isolated areas like valet booths. If any of these scenarios sound like what happened to you, an attorney can help you evaluate your claim and ensure you receive the benefits you are owed.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | MA | Professional Services | "An employee had just completed a repair at a customer's store and was leaving via the main entrance. A suspected shoplifter ran by (while being chased by the police) and shoved the employee into a shelving unit. The employee suffered a broken elbow and a chin laceration and was hospitalized, requiring surgery." | |
| 2025 | TX | Other Services | "An employee came in early to use the air compressor to add air to one of his car's tires. While he was walking across the parking lot, the injured employee noticed a man sitting in the parking lot. The unidentified man rushed the injured employee and stabbed him three times in the back with a knife." | |
| 2025 | IL | Retail Trade | "A security officer was following a suspected shoplifter who got into their SUV. The employee jumped onto the side footrail of the SUV when the suspect began to drive away. The employee stayed on the vehicle for several blocks until he jumped off. When the employee jumped off, he landed on his feet then fell to the ground hitting his head on the ground. The employee sustained dislocated left index finger, subdural hematoma/head injury, tibia/fibula fractures to the right leg which required surgical repair. " | |
| 2025 | FL | Retail Trade | "On June 24,2025, the injured employee had assisted another employee with removing a violent person from the premises. The person tried to get back into the store and started wrestling the employees. This caused the injured employee to trip and fall onto the pavement. The employee was hospitalized with a hematoma to their right hip." | |
| 2025 | IL | Arts & Entertainment | "An employee was working in the valet booth with the door locked when three individuals broke down the door. The individuals attacked and robbed him. The employee was hospitalized with a concussion, fractured facial bones, a bruised rib, and a bruised leg bone." | |
| 2025 | CO | Administrative Services | "An employee assisting with cleaning up broken glass when they were assaulted by an individual and sustained a fractured right arm." | |
| 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." | |
| 2025 | IL | Retail Trade | "On April 23, 2025, an employee was working behind the cash register when a store robbery occurred. The assailant grabbed the employee by the arm and threw them to the floor. The employee was hospitalized for a fractured hip." | |
| 2025 | TX | Administrative Services | "A security employee was stopping a fleeing suspect when he was thrown to the ground, striking his head and suffering a head injury." |
Source: OSHA Severe Injury Reports. Narratives are verbatim from filings; identifying details may have been redacted by OSHA.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, in most cases, injuries sustained during a criminal assault at work are covered by Workers' Compensation because the injury occurred within the scope of your employment. Even if the assailant is a third party, the fact that the incident happened while you were performing your job duties typically qualifies you for benefits. An attorney can help you navigate the claims process to ensure your medical bills and lost wages are covered.
While Workers' Compensation is generally the exclusive remedy for workplace injuries, you may have grounds for a claim if your employer failed to implement necessary security measures or ignored known threats. Employers have a duty to provide a safe workplace, and failing to address a history of violence can be a breach of that duty. An attorney can help you evaluate whether your employer's negligence contributed to the assault.
If your injuries from an assault require ongoing medical treatment or physical therapy, it is critical to document every aspect of your care and recovery. Workers' Compensation should cover these long-term needs, but insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts. An attorney can help you secure the necessary documentation to ensure your benefits cover the full extent of your recovery.
OSHA requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm, which includes protecting you from foreseeable violence. While there is no specific standard for every industry, employers are expected to conduct risk assessments and implement security protocols. An attorney can help you determine if your employer failed to meet these safety obligations.