Right after a fall, your priorities should be medical care and evidence preservation. The facility may move quickly to reassure families, but prevention and response details matter later.
Do these steps as soon as possible:
- Request copies of the fall incident report and any follow-up documentation tied to the same shift.
- Ask for the resident’s fall risk assessment and care plan versions in place before the fall (not just the updated one).
- Get the medical record trail: ER/urgent care notes, imaging results, and discharge/rehab plans.
- Document what you observe: new mobility limits, pain complaints, dizziness, sleep disruption, fear of walking, and any changes in cognition.
- If video may exist, ask the facility to preserve it. Ask for written confirmation of preservation when possible.
If you’re feeling stuck, that’s normal. A quick legal consult can help you request the right records and avoid delays that can weaken a claim.


