Your next steps can affect what evidence is available later—especially when surveillance footage, staffing logs, and internal incident documentation are time-sensitive.
- Get medical care immediately (even if symptoms seem “minor” at first). Head injuries, hip fractures, and internal bleeding can worsen after the initial evaluation.
- Ask for the incident report number and request a copy of the fall documentation.
- Request preservation of evidence in writing (incident records, shift notes, fall risk assessments, and any video, if available).
- Document what you know while it’s fresh: where the resident was, what they were doing, who was present, and what staff said about the cause.
- Keep copies of communications—emails, portal messages, and any written updates from the facility.
If you’re unsure what to request, we can help you build a checklist tailored to the facts of the fall.


