How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 704 severe incidents involving animals over the past decade. These injuries frequently result in cuts, lacerations, and punctures, which account for 35% of all reported cases.
The severity of these incidents is clear, with fractures representing 24% of injury types. You may face long-term recovery needs and significant time away from work after these events.
How these injuries happen
Injuries involving animals typically stem from direct physical contact, with bites and stings serving as the most frequent cause of harm. Beyond bites, you may be struck by animals or involved in transportation incidents, such as falling from a horse or being crushed during livestock movement. These events often occur when an animal reacts unpredictably to a medical procedure, a change in environment, or a sudden movement, leaving you with little time to react.
| Cause | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bitten or stung by animal | 378 |
| 2 | Struck by animal | 184 |
| 3 | Animal transportation incidents | 109 |
| 4 | Contact with animals— unspecified | 12 |
| 5 | Multiple types of contact with animals | 10 |
| 6 | Contact with animals— n.e.c. | 3 |
| 7 | Inhalation of harmful substance | 2 |
| 8 | Other fall to lower level | 1 |
Where injuries happen most
The transportation and warehousing sector accounts for 24% of these incidents, largely due to the movement of livestock and animals in transit. Agriculture follows closely at 21%, where you face daily risks while managing, herding, and restraining large animals.
Real cases like yours
Common patterns in these incidents include unexpected animal reactions during routine veterinary exams, sudden movements while riding, or being thrown during livestock handling. These reports frequently highlight situations where an animal bites, bucks, or trips, leading to serious fractures or puncture wounds that require hospitalization. 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 | MO | Professional Services | "A veterinarian was listening to a cat's heart when the cat bit their left thumb. The employee was hospitalized for treatment. " | |
| 2025 | NY | Administrative Services | "An employee was riding a horse in the horse corral/riding arena when the horse bucked multiple times. The employee performed an emergency dismount off the right side of the horse. When she landed, she fell backward in the sand, onto her back. The employee sustained a crushed vertebra." | |
| 2025 | FL | Professional Services | "An employee was entering an exam room to perform a veterinary exam on a dog when the dog bit her face, resulting in hospitalization for a puncture injury." | |
| 2025 | KS | Agriculture | "A pen rider was moving cattle and they were after an animal. When the animal changed direction, the horse also turned and then tripped and fell. The employee fell with the horse and sustained a dislocated left shoulder, a fractured right thumb, and a fracture above the eye." | |
| 2025 | TX | Public Administration | "An employee fell off a horse while performing riding patrol duties and was hospitalized with a fractured skull." | |
| 2025 | MO | Other Services | "An employee was participating in playtime with a cat. She was petting the cat when the cat bit her right hand. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | TX | Professional Services | "An employee was restraining a cat so a sterile urine sample could be obtained. The cat bit the employee's left middle finger. The wound had to be debrided and the employee was later hospitalized with an infection in the joint." | |
| 2025 | IL | Other Services | "On June 20, 2025, an employee fell from a horse, suffered a head injury, and was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | MS | Wholesale Trade | "An employee was bitten by a dog while delivering merchandise to a customer's home. The employee suffered lacerations to both forearms, his left leg, and his back. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | CT | Transportation & Warehousing | "A mail carrier was delivering mail to a home when a dog broke through a door and bit his head, face, arms, and legs." |
Source: OSHA Severe Injury Reports. Narratives are verbatim from filings; identifying details may have been redacted by OSHA.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, injuries sustained from animal attacks during the course of your employment are generally covered by Workers' Compensation. This includes medical expenses for treatment, surgery, and rehabilitation, as well as wage replacement benefits if you are unable to work. An attorney can help you document your claim to reflect the severity of your injury.
Report the incident to your supervisor immediately and seek medical attention for any bite or puncture wound, as these carry a high risk of infection. Document the circumstances of the incident, including the type of animal, the environment, and any safety equipment that was or was not provided. Speaking with an attorney early can help you understand your rights and protect your claim.
In most cases, Workers' Compensation is the exclusive remedy for workplace injuries, meaning you cannot sue your employer directly for negligence. However, if a third party was involved or if there are specific circumstances regarding safety violations, other legal avenues may exist. An attorney can evaluate your situation to see if you have grounds for a personal injury claim beyond standard benefits.
Employers are required to provide a safe workplace, which includes training on animal handling, providing appropriate protective gear, and implementing protocols to minimize risks during high-contact tasks. When an employer fails to maintain these standards, they may be held accountable for the resulting injuries. An attorney can help you determine if your employer failed to meet their safety obligations.