What happens right after the incident can strongly affect the case later. If you’re able, take these steps promptly:
- Get medical evaluation immediately (especially for head impact, dizziness, hip pain, or sudden behavior changes). Even if the injury “seems minor,” documentation matters.
- Request the facility’s incident details (date/time, location, witnesses, what the staff observed, and what was done afterward).
- Write down a timeline from your perspective: when you arrived, what you were told, what symptoms appeared, and how the resident changed after the fall.
- Ask for copies of relevant records you’re entitled to receive, such as incident documentation and care notes related to the event.
If the facility offers forms to sign or asks for a statement, pause and get legal guidance first. In negligence cases, wording and timing can unintentionally limit what can be proven later.


