After a serious fall, evidence can disappear quickly. While your priority should be medical care, these steps can protect your ability to seek accountability:
- Request the incident report in writing (and ask for the full document set, not just a summary).
- Ask for the fall risk assessment and care plan that were in place before the fall.
- Document what you’re told: the time of the fall, who responded, whether alarms were used, and what staff said about the cause.
- Preserve photos/video if you know surveillance may exist. Ask the facility about retention policies.
- Get the medical timeline: ER/urgent care records, imaging, discharge paperwork, and follow-up instructions.
If you’re dealing with urgent injuries—fractures, head trauma, or a decline in mobility—don’t wait to get legal guidance. North Carolina injury claims can involve time-sensitive steps, and the strongest cases are built early.


