How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 207 severe cases involving step ladders. Fractures are the most common injury, accounting for 71% of all reported incidents, often requiring extensive medical intervention and time away from work.
These injuries are frequently severe because they involve sudden, uncontrolled falls. Your brain and lower legs are the most commonly affected body parts, often leading to long-term mobility issues and significant recovery periods.
How these injuries happen
Most step ladder injuries occur when the equipment fails or you lose your footing. The vast majority of incidents involve a fall to a lower level, often triggered by the ladder collapsing or slipping during use. Whether the ladder was unstable, placed on an uneven surface, or failed under weight, these events are rarely your fault.
| Cause | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Other fall to lower level | 162 |
| 2 | Fall to lower level from collapsing structure or equipment | 25 |
| 3 | Fall to lower level resulting from exposure or contact | 13 |
| 4 | Fall to lower level resulting in exposure or contact | 1 |
Where injuries happen most
Construction leads all sectors with 32% of reported step ladder injuries, followed by retail trade at 21%. In these fast-paced environments, you use ladders constantly for overhead access, often without the necessary safety oversight or proper equipment maintenance required to prevent falls.
Real cases like yours
Common patterns in these reports include ladders slipping on slick floors, collapsing under your weight, or being knocked over by falling objects. If any of these scenarios sound like what happened to you, an attorney can help you review the specific circumstances of your injury to determine if your employer failed to provide a safe work environment.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | IL | Manufacturing | "An employee was climbing an A-frame ladder to clear a jam in an overhead conveyance. The employee fell from the ladder to the plant floor and sustained fractured ribs." | |
| 2025 | MD | Construction | "An employee was on an A-frame ladder while preforming demolition of a ceiling. A section of HVAC ductwork fell on the employee and knocked them to the ground approximately 12 feet below. The employee was hospitalized with a concussion and lacerations." | |
| 2025 | IL | Retail Trade | "An employee was stocking product in a cooler. While stepping down the last step of a three-step stool, the employee lost footing and fell backward, landing on her tailbone. Her L1 vertebra was fractured." | |
| 2025 | TX | Manufacturing | "On July 21, 2025, an employee was working from a 10-foot step ladder while installing a 3-by-5-foot glass window pane on the outside of a new home under construction. The window fell from the frame and the employee went to catch it when the ladder slipped. The employee fell 5 feet to the ground and landed on small pieces of concrete left over from the foundation pour. The employee was hospitalized with a dislocated elbow and fractured wrist that required surgery." | |
| 2025 | PA | Administrative Services | "An employee was standing on a two-step stool to repair a dumpster. While descending the stool, the employee lost balance and fell to the floor resulting in a broken leg. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | OH | Finance & Insurance | "An employee was working from a step ladder while cleaning lights when they fell, resulting in a broken wrist and an injured knee and ankle. The employee was hospitalized. " | |
| 2025 | WI | Construction | "An employee was installing ductwork overhead from a 10-foot stepladder. While the employee was making a connection, pressure from an adjacent rough-studded wall caused the ladder to tip out from under the employee. The employee fell 6 feet to the floor and suffered a broken femur." | |
| 2025 | WI | Construction | "On July 11, 2025, at approximately 11:30 AM, an employee was on the fourth step of an 6-foot step ladder, manually pulling wire. He encountered resistance and the connection to the tape came loose. He lost his balance and fell to the floor, sustaining a fractured pelvis." | |
| 2025 | LA | Retail Trade | "An employee lost her footing while descending a three-step ladder. She fell to the floor about 30 inches below. She suffered a broken left tibia." | |
| 2025 | TX | Public Administration | "Employees were troubleshooting dual duct detectors in a room. The injured employee was on the second rung from the top of a forward-facing 12-foot A-frame ladder. He was reinstalling the duct detector in the furthest duct from him (18 inches). When he pushed the duct detector into the existing holes, the duct broke free and fell, striking his back and shoulders. He was knocked forward over the ladder and fell to the floor. The employee sustained 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, Workers' Compensation is designed to cover injuries that occur while performing job duties, including falls from ladders. You are generally entitled to medical coverage and wage replacement regardless of who was at fault for the fall. An attorney can help you ensure your claim is filed correctly and that you receive the full benefits you are owed.
Employers are required to follow strict guidelines under 29 CFR 1926.1053, which mandates that ladders must be maintained in good condition and used only for their intended purpose. If your employer failed to provide a stable ladder or proper training, they may be liable for your injuries. An attorney can help you investigate whether your employer violated these safety regulations.
Fractures resulting from ladder falls are often classified as severe because they frequently require surgery, hardware, and long-term physical therapy. These injuries can keep you out of work for months and may result in permanent impairment. An attorney can help you document the severity of your injury to support your claim for fair compensation.
Employers often attempt to shift blame to you to avoid liability, but Workers' Compensation is a no-fault system in most cases. Even if you made a mistake, you are likely still entitled to benefits for your medical expenses and lost wages. An attorney can help you protect your rights and prevent your employer from unfairly denying your claim.