In the hours and days after the fall, the most important goal is protecting health—but evidence also matters.
Do these practical steps immediately:
- Get medical care documented. Make sure the injury is described accurately (head strike, fractures, pain level, dizziness, medication effects).
- Request the incident documentation. Ask for the incident report, resident risk assessment, and any post-fall notes from the shift.
- Note the “urban details.” In West Hollywood facilities, falls can occur around common high-traffic areas—hallways during shift change, dining room routes, bathroom transitions, and any areas affected by building maintenance.
- Preserve communications. Save emails/portal messages, discharge summaries, and any written explanations the facility provides.
- Ask about retention of video (if any). Many nursing homes maintain limited surveillance footage. Acting early helps prevent loss.
If you’re overwhelmed, you can still take one step at a time: gather what you have, write down what you remember, and let an attorney help you request the right records.


