If your loved one just fell (or you recently discovered the incident), your priority is medical care. After that, take practical steps that help protect the record—especially important in Georgia where documentation often becomes the battleground.
Do these right away:
- Get the resident evaluated immediately—especially after head impact, suspected fracture, or a “minor” fall that causes confusion, dizziness, or new pain.
- Ask for a copy of the incident report and request the facility’s documentation of what staff observed and when.
- Write down your timeline: the approximate time of the fall, what you were told, who you spoke with, and any changes you noticed afterward.
- Request all relevant medical records related to the fall (ER visit, imaging, diagnoses, and follow-up orders).
Avoid common traps: don’t rush into recorded statements or accept the facility’s explanation at face value before you’ve reviewed the documentation. Early wording can later be used to minimize risk factors or shift blame.


