How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 243 severe incidents involving insects and arachnids since 2015. These cases are dominated by effects of poison, toxic, or allergenic exposure, which account for 71% of all reported injuries.
You frequently face hospitalization due to acute allergic responses that require immediate medical intervention.
How these injuries happen
Every reported incident in this category stems from being bitten or stung by an animal. You encounter these risks when you disturb nests or habitats while performing routine tasks like landscaping, inspecting remote equipment, or working near windows and doors. The resulting injuries range from localized punctures to life-threatening systemic reactions that demand emergency care.
| Cause | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bitten or stung by animal | 243 |
Where injuries happen most
Administrative services account for 14% of these incidents, often when you perform grounds maintenance or work in environments where pest control is neglected. Manufacturing and transportation sectors also see high rates of injury, as you are frequently exposed to insect habitats while working near loading docks or outdoor storage areas.
Real cases like yours
Common patterns in these reports include you being stung while performing routine outdoor tasks like landscaping, brush clearing, or working near industrial machinery. Many incidents involve unexpected encounters in remote or neglected areas of a worksite that lead to severe allergic reactions requiring hospitalization. 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 | RI | Wholesale Trade | "An employee was walking through a remote location on the worksite looking for spare parts. The employee was stung by a bee, suffered a severe reaction, and was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | OH | Accommodation & Food Services | "On July 10, 2025, an employee was stung by a bee while working at a drive-through window. She suffered an allergic reaction and was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | IL | Administrative Services | "An employee was landscaping when he was stung by three bees on his back and was hospitalized with an allergic reaction." | |
| 2025 | TN | Public Administration | "An employee was cutting brush and shrubs. A bee stung the employee on the base of their neck. The employee sustained an allergic reaction and was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | OK | Transportation & Warehousing | "While working near a cotton baler, an employee sustained a spider bite that resulted in swelling and required hospitalization." | |
| 2025 | FL | Professional Services | "An employee was opening a metal gate and went to open the lock when a wasp stung her hand. The employee sustained an allergic reaction." | |
| 2025 | WV | Utilities | "An employee was stung by a bee while working in the field. The employee suffered an allergic reaction and was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | FL | Administrative Services | "An employee was driving a truck when a wasp flew in through the open window and stung him on the face. He suffered an allergic reaction." | |
| 2025 | IL | Information | "An employee was putting on gloves when an insect stung his right middle finger. He developed swelling and was hospitalized." | |
| 2024 | TX | Mining | "An employee was bitten by a spider on the job site. 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
Workers' Compensation generally covers injuries that arise out of and in the course of employment. If your job duties placed you in a position where you were exposed to an increased risk of being bitten or stung, you may be eligible for benefits. An attorney can help you determine if your specific circumstances meet the criteria for a claim.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience signs of a severe reaction such as difficulty breathing or swelling. Once you are stabilized, report the incident to your employer in writing to ensure there is an official record of the event. An attorney can help you understand how to document the incident and protect your rights to benefits.
Employers have a general duty to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards, which can include maintaining grounds and facilities to prevent pest infestations. If your employer failed to address known pest issues that led to your injury, they may be held accountable. An attorney can help you evaluate whether your employer's failure to maintain a safe environment supports your claim.
Workers' Compensation is designed to cover necessary medical expenses and lost wages resulting from work-related injuries. This includes costs for emergency room visits, hospital stays, and follow-up care for severe reactions. An attorney can help you navigate the claims process to ensure your medical costs are properly addressed.