How to Investigate Nursing Home Falls?

Falls in nursing homes are alarmingly common — and too often, they’re preventable. 

When an elderly resident suffers a fall, it may be a sign of neglect, unsafe conditions, or improper care. 

Investigating the incident properly is essential to uncovering the truth, ensuring accountability, and protecting your loved one’s rights.

If you suspect negligence, knowing how to investigate a nursing home fall can help you determine what really happened and whether legal action may be necessary.

Why Nursing Home Falls Happen?

While age-related health conditions can make seniors more prone to falling, many nursing home falls occur because staff or facility management fail to meet basic care standards.
Common causes include:

• Inadequate staff supervision or delayed response times
  
• Wet or cluttered floors
  
• Poor lighting or unsafe flooring
  
• Improper use of wheelchairs, bed rails, or walking aids
  
• Medication errors that cause dizziness or weakness
  
• Neglect of high-risk residents
  
• Lack of fall-prevention protocols
  

When a nursing home fails to protect residents from known risks, it may amount to negligence or elder abuse.

First Steps After a Nursing Home Fall

When you learn your loved one has fallen, emotions can run high. But your response in the hours and days after the incident can make a major difference in uncovering what happened.

1. Seek Immediate Medical Care

Make sure your loved one receives prompt medical attention, even if injuries seem minor.

Falls can cause hidden injuries such as internal bleeding, fractures, or head trauma. Request copies of all medical reports and test results, as these may be vital evidence later.

2. Ask Questions Immediately

Politely but firmly ask the nursing home staff:

• Where and when did the fall occur?
  
• Who was on duty at the time?
  
• Was your loved one supposed to be monitored or assisted?
  
• Were there witnesses?
  
• What actions were taken after the fall?
  

Document every answer — and note any inconsistencies between staff accounts.

3. Take Photos and Videos

Capture images of:

• The exact location of the fall
  
• Hazards (wet floors, poor lighting, clutter, broken equipment)
  
• Your loved one’s injuries (bruises, cuts, fractures)
  

Visual documentation can be crucial in proving neglect or unsafe conditions.

Conducting a Thorough Investigation

A nursing home fall investigation should focus on why the fall occurred, who was responsible, and whether the incident could have been prevented.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how families — and their attorneys — typically investigate:

1. Review the Nursing Home’s Records

Ask for:

• Incident reports filed immediately after the fall
  
• Care plans for your loved one (showing fall-risk assessments and preventive measures)
  
• Daily logs of activities, medications, and supervision
  
• Staffing schedules (to see if the facility was understaffed)
  

Federal regulations require nursing homes to maintain accurate records of accidents and care plans. If records are missing or inconsistent, that may be a red flag.

2. Interview Witnesses

Speak with:

• Staff who were on duty
  
• Roommates or nearby residents
  
• Visitors who may have seen or heard the incident
  

Witness statements can help identify staff negligence, delays in response, or violations of care policies.

3. Check Surveillance Footage

Many nursing homes have cameras in hallways and common areas. Footage can reveal whether:

• The fall was captured on video
  
• Staff were nearby or responded appropriately
  
• The environment was unsafe
  

If you suspect wrongdoing, an attorney can formally request this footage before it’s deleted or overwritten.

4. Assess the Environment

Inspect the area where the fall occurred:

• Was the lighting adequate?
  
• Were handrails, non-slip mats, or grab bars installed?
  
• Was equipment functioning properly?
  
• Were staff conducting regular safety checks?
  

These details can help determine if the facility maintained safe conditions — or ignored hazards.

5. Evaluate Staffing and Training

Understaffing is one of the most common contributors to nursing home falls. Review staff ratios and qualifications to see if employees were:

• Overworked or covering too many residents
  
• Properly trained in fall prevention and mobility assistance
  
• Following the facility’s own safety protocols
  

If not, the nursing home may be liable for negligent hiring or inadequate supervision.

When to Involve an Attorney?

If your investigation reveals warning signs of neglect, it’s time to consult a nursing home abuse or personal injury lawyer. An experienced attorney can:

• Subpoena records or surveillance videos
  
• Work with medical experts to assess your loved one’s injuries
  
• Identify safety violations or breaches of federal regulations
  
• Negotiate with the facility’s insurance company
  
• File a negligence or wrongful death lawsuit if warranted
  

Legal action not only helps secure compensation but also prevents similar harm to other residents.

Possible Damages in a Nursing Home Fall Case

If the investigation confirms negligence, your family may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses (hospital bills, rehabilitation, medications)
  
• Pain and suffering
  
• Emotional distress
  
• Disability or loss of mobility
  
• Wrongful death (if the fall was fatal)
  
• Punitive damages (for gross neglect or abuse)
  

Each case is unique, and damages depend on the severity of the injuries and the level of negligence involved.

Reporting Nursing Home Neglect

In addition to legal action, you can also file formal complaints with:

• Your state’s Department of Health or Human Services
  
• The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
  
• Adult Protective Services (APS) if abuse is suspected
  

These agencies can conduct their own investigations and take regulatory action against the facility.

Final Thoughts

A nursing home should be a safe and caring environment — not a place where residents live in fear of falling or being ignored.

When a fall occurs, thorough investigation is essential to uncover the truth and ensure accountability.

If you suspect your loved one’s nursing home fall was caused by neglect, don’t face it alone.

At Mulholland Injury Law, we help families investigate nursing home incidents, hold negligent facilities accountable, and pursue justice for vulnerable residents.

Contact us today for a free consultation — and let us help you find out what really happened.