How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 1,637 severe cases involving cutting handtools. These incidents most frequently result in cuts, lacerations, and punctures, which account for 48% of all reported injuries.
The severity of these accidents is high, with amputations and avulsions representing 47% of the total cases. Your fingers are the most commonly affected body part, often requiring extensive medical intervention and long-term rehabilitation.
How these injuries happen
Most injuries occur when you are struck by an object you are currently handling, which accounts for 86% of all recorded incidents. These accidents often happen when a blade slips during a cut or when a tool experiences unexpected kickback during operation.
| Cause | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Injured by object handled by person | 1,393 |
| 2 | Struck by running powered equipment— n.e.c. | 54 |
| 3 | Struck by running powered equipment— irregular movement, kick back | 53 |
| 4 | Struck by rolling, sliding, or shifting objects—non-running | 33 |
| 5 | Struck by falling object | 28 |
| 6 | Caught, entangled in running powered equipment— normal operation | 18 |
| 7 | Struck against stationary object | 15 |
| 8 | Indirect exposure to electricity | 8 |
Where injuries happen most
Construction leads all sectors with 37% of reported incidents, as you frequently use heavy-duty saws and cutting equipment. Manufacturing follows at 21%, where repetitive tasks and high-speed machinery increase your risk of contact with sharp edges.
Real cases like yours
Common patterns in these reports involve you using saws or utility knives that slip or kick back during operation, leading to immediate and life-altering injuries. These incidents often occur during routine tasks like cutting materials or opening boxes, where a momentary lapse or equipment failure leads to a severe laceration or amputation. If any of these scenarios sound like what happened to you, an attorney can help you understand your legal options.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | AL | Construction | "On July 30, 2025, an employee was utilizing a circular saw to cut plastic into strips that would be used as shims. The blade of the saw amputated his left little finger to the second knuckle." | |
| 2025 | FL | Information | "An employee was cutting boxes using a box cutting tool and lacerated an artery in their wrist. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | OH | Accommodation & Food Services | "An employee was cutting cooked chicken with a kitchen knife when the tip of their left thumb, including the nail, was cut, resulting in an amputation." | |
| 2025 | FL | Construction | "An employee was cutting down the front of a concrete panel when the concrete saw kicked back and lacerated his neck. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | WI | Construction | "An employee was sawing cable on the ground using a handheld concrete saw. The saw blade caught on the cable and jumped, striking and lacerating the employee's left calf." | |
| 2025 | ID | Public Administration | "A Bureau of Land Management (BLM) employee was assisting a fire crew with clearing a forest trail. The employee was struck in the left leg by a fire-rated chainsaw. The chainsaw struck the employee underneath their chaps and above their boot. The employee was hospitalized and required surgery." | |
| 2025 | FL | Manufacturing | "An employee was scraping dough off a plastic dough auger using a utility knife when the knife slipped and lacerated their left forearm. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | NJ | Retail Trade | "An employee was cutting watermelon with a knife and lacerated her little finger. She was hospitalized and required surgery." | |
| 2025 | NY | Administrative Services | "On July 21, 2025, an employee was operating a hedge trimmer when the trimmer became unstable and slipped, resulting in lacerations to his left hand that required hospitalization and surgery. The lacerations included a partial amputation of the little fingertip, a fractured ring fingertip, and severe lacerations to the middle and ring fingers that required stitches." | |
| 2025 | OK | Accommodation & Food Services | "An employee was slicing tomatoes with a chef's knife when the knife contacted their little finger, resulting in a fingertip amputation." |
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 during the scope of your employment. This includes medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages while you recover. An attorney can help you ensure your claim is filed correctly so you receive the full benefits you are entitled to.
Employers have a legal obligation to provide proper training and safety equipment for any tool they require you to use. If a lack of training or improper maintenance contributed to your injury, this is a critical factor in your Workers' Compensation claim. An attorney can investigate whether your employer met these safety standards and how that impacts your case.
Amputations are considered severe injuries and are fully covered under Workers' Compensation laws. These claims often involve complex calculations for permanent partial disability benefits to account for the long-term impact on your ability to work. An attorney can provide guidance on how to document your injury and pursue the appropriate level of compensation.
Seek medical attention immediately to document your injury and prevent further complications. You should also report the incident to your supervisor as soon as possible and keep copies of all medical records and accident reports. Speaking with an attorney early in the process can help you protect your rights and ensure your claim is handled properly.