Time matters because records and video can disappear, and early facts can get lost. After a fall, aim to:
- Get medical care first. Head injuries, fractures, and changes in alertness should be treated as urgent.
- Request the incident paperwork the same day (or as soon as possible): the fall report, shift notes, risk assessment updates, and any documentation showing what staff knew before the fall.
- Preserve surveillance information. Ask whether cameras cover hallways/entry areas and request that any footage be preserved.
- Write down your timeline. Note the date/time, where the fall occurred (room, bathroom, common area), what the resident was doing, and what staff said immediately after.
- Ask what precautions were in place. For example: mobility assistance, bed/chair alarms, footwear guidance, transfer technique, bathroom schedules, and supervision level.
If you’re wondering whether you should contact a lawyer right away, the answer is often yes—especially when the resident has a head injury, hip fracture, or sudden decline after the fall.


