The first days after a fall can determine what evidence is available later. Consider these immediate steps:
- Get the medical picture first. Ask what injuries occurred (head trauma, fractures, soft-tissue injuries) and whether there were complications.
- Request the fall documentation you can. This typically includes the incident report, fall-risk assessment updates, post-fall vitals/notes, and the resident’s care plan around the time of the fall.
- Preserve surveillance if it exists. Many facilities have retention limits. Ask the facility to preserve any camera footage related to the incident.
- Write down the “Westminster timeline.” Note staffing shifts if you know them, when you were informed, where the resident was at the time, and what staff said happened.
If you’re unsure what to request, we can help you build a targeted checklist for your situation.


