After a fall, your priorities should be (1) medical care and (2) evidence preservation.
Do this right away:
- Get medical evaluation even if the resident “seems okay.” Head injuries, fractures, and internal bleeding can worsen after the fact.
- Ask the facility for the incident report, fall documentation, and the resident’s fall risk information that existed around the time of the fall.
- Request a copy of the care plan (and any recent updates) and the shift notes or progress notes tied to the incident.
- If video might exist, ask the facility to preserve surveillance footage. Retention policies and routine overwrites can become a problem if you wait.
In Indiana, timing matters. Evidence can disappear, records can be edited or supplemented, and deadlines can affect what claims can be filed. A quick legal review can help you avoid losing key information.


