2025 ICD-10-CM code W20

Struck by thrown, projected, or falling object. Code first any associated cataclysm (X34-X39) or lightning strike (T75.00).

Use this code as a secondary code to the code describing the nature of the injury.Do not use this code for injuries related to machinery accidents, transport accidents, explosions, firearms, or sports equipment (refer to the excludes notes).

The seventh character of this code allows for specification of the encounter type (initial, subsequent, sequela).This is indicated by adding the seventh characters: A, D or S to complete the code. Example: W20.8XXA - Other cause of strike by thrown, projected or falling object, initial encounter.

Medical necessity is determined by the nature and extent of the injuries sustained. Treatment should be consistent with the established standards of care.

The physician's responsibility is to document the circumstances of the injury, including the nature of the object, the force of impact, and the location of the injury.They should also document the resulting injury using the appropriate ICD-10-CM code(s).

In simple words: This code indicates that a person was injured after being hit by something that was thrown, projected, or fell.

Struck by thrown, projected, or falling object. This code describes the circumstance causing an injury, not the nature of the injury.It excludes falling object in machinery accident (W24, W28-W31), falling object in transport accident (V01-V99), object set in motion by explosion (W35-W40), object set in motion by firearm (W32-W34), and struck by thrown sports equipment (W21.-).

Example 1: A construction worker is struck on the head by a falling brick., A child is hit by a rock thrown by another child., A person is injured when a tree branch falls on them during a storm.

Documentation should clearly describe the event, the object involved, and the resulting injuries. The documentation should support the medical necessity of any subsequent treatment.

** This code should always be used in conjunction with a code from another chapter that describes the specific injury. It provides additional context about the cause of the injury.

  • Specialties:Emergency Medicine, Trauma Surgery, Orthopedics, General Surgery
  • Place of Service:Emergency Room - Hospital, Inpatient Hospital, Office, Outpatient Hospital, Place of Employment - Worksite, Other Place of Service
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