Falls & injury checklist
Nursing Home Reporter
A practical list for families documenting falls, fractures, or head injuries in a nursing home.

Incident details
Write down what you know while it is fresh.
[ ] Date, approximate time, and location of the fall
[ ] Whether staff said it was witnessed or found after the fact
[ ] Injuries diagnosed (fracture, bleed, stitches, etc.)
[ ] Whether fall alarms, mats, or assistive devices were in use

Records to request
Request incident reports and prior fall-risk assessments in writing.
[ ] Fall-risk assessments and care-plan updates
[ ] Medication lists (sedating meds matter)
[ ] Hospital imaging and discharge summaries

Sources
HHS: access to medical records: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/medical-records/index.html
CMS: nursing home data and inspection records: https://data.cms.gov/provider-data/topics/nursing-homes

Informational only. Nursing Home Reporter is not a law firm. Inspection history does not prove liability. Obtain medical care for an active injury.
https://www.nursinghomereporter.com/guides/falls-and-injury-checklist