Struck by thrown, projected or falling object (W20)
The ICD-10 codes in the W20 section categorize injuries sustained when a person is struck by thrown, projected, or falling objects. These codes specify circumstances such as being hit by objects in a cave-in, from a building collapse, or other falling or thrown items.
The ICD-10 code for struck by thrown, projected or falling object (W20) covers a range of incidents including objects falling during a cave-in (W20.0), collapse of buildings (W20.1), and various other scenarios involving thrown or falling items (W20.8). Synonyms like "struck by cave-in" and "struck by building collapse" help clarify coding choices for injuries resulting from falling debris, roof tiles, or construction materials. These codes further distinguish the type of medical encounter with seventh characters indicating initial (XXA), subsequent (XXD), or sequela (XXS) visits. This detailed classification supports accurate documentation of injury causes from accidental impacts by objects such as falling rocks, trees, signs, or tools; essential for precise injury reporting and healthcare management.
External causes of morbidity and mortality (V01–Y99)
Exposure to inanimate mechanical forces (W20-W49)
W20 Struck by thrown, projected or falling object
W20.0 Struck by falling object in cave-in
- W20.0XXA Struck by falling object in cave-in, initial encounter
- W20.0XXD Struck by falling object in cave-in, subsequent encounter
- W20.0XXS Struck by falling object in cave-in, sequela
W20.1 Struck by object due to collapse of building
- W20.1XXA Struck by object due to collapse of building, initial encounter
- W20.1XXD Struck by object due to collapse of building, subsequent encounter
- W20.1XXS Struck by object due to collapse of building, sequela
W20.8 Other cause of strike by thrown, projected or falling object
- W20.8XXA Other cause of strike by thrown, projected or falling object, initial encounter
- W20.8XXD Other cause of strike by thrown, projected or falling object, subsequent encounter
- W20.8XXS Other cause of strike by thrown, projected or falling object, sequela
Struck by thrown, projected or falling object (W20)
Instructional Notations
Code First
Certain conditions have both an underlying etiology and multiple body system manifestations due to the underlying etiology. For such conditions, the ICD-10-CM has a coding convention that requires the underlying condition be sequenced first followed by the manifestation. Wherever such a combination exists, there is a "use additional code" note at the etiology code, and a "code first" note at the manifestation code. These instructional notes indicate the proper sequencing order of the codes, etiology followed by manifestation.
Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
- 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
- struck by thrown sports equipment W21
7th Character Note
Certain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category W20
7th Character
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
