Workers’ compensation claims stem from a wide a range of accidents, according to a study by Hawk Law Group.

The most common injuries for U.S. workers include muscle sprains from overexertion, slips, trips, falls and repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome. Meanwhile, the U.S. workers’ compensation market is predicted to reach $59.4 billion in 2026. The industry peaked at roughly $57.5 billion in 2025 after experiencing a slight decline in premiums.

Real workers’ comp cases as selected by Hawk Law Group

1. Construction worker killed by forklift

In December 2024, 29-year-old Andrew Williams Morgan died in Perry, Georgia, after falling from a forklift and being run over. OSHA opened an investigation into the incident. This case highlights the dangers of improperly operated equipment and the critical role of workers’ comp in covering death benefits for surviving family members.

2. Fatal forklift accident at Georgia EV battery plant

In May 2025, a worker was killed at the HL-GA Battery Co. construction site near Savannah when a load fell from a forklift. OSHA launched a full investigation. Families in such cases may qualify for workers’ comp death benefits while also exploring potential third-party claims against contractors or equipment manufacturers.

3. Nurse suffers back injury moving a patient

Terry Cawthorn, a North Carolina nurse, suffered a serious back injury after lifting a patient. Her employer initially denied that her injury was work-related, eventually terminating her employment. She sued, underscoring how healthcare workers are at high risk for overexertion injuries (KPBS).

4. Worker crushed by large bay door

In July 2023, a woman was fatally crushed by a massive industrial door at Pegasus Steel in South Carolina. OSHA cited the company for safety violations. Workers’ comp provides critical death benefits in such tragic cases, while OSHA citations show how negligence contributes to preventable deaths.

5. Slip and fall from a ladder

An OSHA accident report described an employee who fell when a ladder wobbled, suffering a traumatic brain injury. This case illustrates how falls from even modest heights can result in catastrophic, life-changing injuries — often requiring lifelong medical care.

6. Worker caught in machinery

In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that an employee at a manufacturing plant was fatally injured after being caught in inadequately guarded machinery. OSHA cited the company for failing to prevent “caught-between” hazards.

7. Workplace violence: Half Moon Bay shooting

In 2023, a tragic mass shooting at a Half Moon Bay mushroom farm left seven workers dead. Cal/OSHA cited the employers for failing to implement adequate workplace violence prevention measures. This case underscores that violence at work is a recognized occupational hazard covered by workers’ comp.

About the author:

Joe Toppe is the Content Director for Toppe Consulting and a globally syndicated business journalist with a byline in FOX Business, FOX News, MSN, Yahoo Finance and the New York Post.