Workplace injuries happen more often than most people realize—and the consequences can be serious. In this article, we’ll take a close look at the most common workplace injuries in 2025 and the latest data behind them.
You’ll learn which accidents happen most frequently, who’s most at risk, and how often workers suffer serious injuries. With insights from Stan Gregory, you can take steps to protect yourself and know what to do if you’re ever injured on the job.
If you’ve been hurt at work in New Jersey, contact the Law Offices of Stan Gregory. Our workers’ compensation lawyers will help you gather the right evidence, prove your claim, and fight for the full benefits you deserve.
What are the top three causes of nonfatal workplace injuries?
Overexertion, slips and falls, and contact with objects or equipment account for over 84% of all nonfatal work-related injuries. These aren’t freak accidents—they’re routine hazards that can leave workers facing chronic pain, lost wages, and the need for long-term care. In New Jersey’s physically demanding industries like construction, manufacturing, and logistics, these risks are especially prevalent.
How often is a U.S. employee injured on the job?
Every 7 seconds, a worker in the United States is injured on the job—that’s over 7 million workplace injuries per year. Many of these accidents happen in fast-paced environments where safety protocols are lacking or improperly followed.
How many workers died from falls?
In 2023, a total of 1,075 workers died from falls—a sharp increase from 805 in 2020. These fatalities highlight the critical need for better fall protection systems, especially on construction sites and in facility maintenance roles.
How many workers are injured in slips, trips, and falls annually?
Every year, over 211,000 workers suffer injuries due to slips, trips, and falls—leading to missed paychecks, rising medical costs, and long recovery times. In many cases, these incidents are preventable through better training and workplace safety enforcement.
What other major health issues are caused by work-related exposures?
In addition to sudden injuries, workplace conditions can also contribute to chronic health issues. For example, back and neck pain accounted for 12.3 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs)—a staggering measure of lost healthy years due to musculoskeletal disorders.
How many workers are injured enough to take time off work?
In 2020, 211,640 workers were forced to take time off after slips, trips, or falls. Many required weeks or even months to recover. For injured employees, this lost time can lead to financial instability, especially without access to workers’ compensation benefits.
What is the most common age group affected by workplace injuries?
Workers aged 45 to 64 experience the highest rate of workplace injuries. Many in this group take on physically intensive jobs while also facing age-related wear and tear, making them more prone to sprains, strains, and falls.
What is the leading work-related health condition?
Stroke is the leading work-related health condition worldwide, responsible for 12.6 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Long hours, high stress, and exposure to harmful substances can all raise the risk of stroke on the job.
How many work-related deaths occurred due to transportation incidents?
In 2023, 1,495 workers died in transportation-related incidents, making up 38% of all fatal workplace injuries. For truck drivers, delivery workers, and employees commuting between job sites, transportation remains one of the most dangerous parts of the workday.
Start Building Your Case with Stan Gregory’s Workers’ Comp Lawyers
If you’ve been injured at work, you don’t have to face the workers’ comp system alone. Stan Gregory’s workers’ comp lawyers will help you gather strong medical evidence, document your claim, and fight for the benefits you need to recover and move forward.
Contact Stan Gregory today to schedule a free consultation and start building your case.
Sources
NSC Injury Facts. “Top Work-related Injury Causes.” 2022. https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/work/work-overview/top-work-related-injury-causes/
MercyCare Business Health Solutions. “Common Workplace Injuries & How to Prevent Them.” https://www.mercycare.org/bhs/occupational-medicine/occupational-medicine-resource-library/common-workplace-injuries/
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, 2023.” 2023. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cfoi.nr0.htm
World Health Organization. “Total WHO/ILO Joint Estimates of the Work-related Burden of Disease and Injury, 2000–2016.” September 27, 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/total-who-ilo-joint-estimates-of-the-work-related-burden-of-disease-and-injury–2000-2016
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. “Commonly Used Statistics.” https://www.osha.gov/data/commonstats
