What Happens After an Unwitnessed Fall in a Nursing Home?

Falls in nursing homes happen more often than families realize, and when no one sees it, the uncertainty can be overwhelming.

After an unwitnessed fall, staff should immediately assess injuries, provide medical care, and conduct a thorough investigation.

The incident must be documented in detail, and the resident should be monitored for at least 72 hours, with frequent neurological and vital sign checks. A comprehensive care plan should follow to prevent future falls.

At The Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Law Firm, we fight for families when nursing homes fail to take falls seriously.

Post-Fall Procedures You Should Know About

When a fall happens, the way staff responds can make all the difference in preventing serious complications. Nursing homes should follow clear steps to assess injuries, document the incident, and ensure proper care.

Initial Response and Assessment

The first step is a medical evaluation. Staff must check vital signs, assess neurological function, and examine for injuries.

If there’s a chance of head trauma, a neurological exam is essential. Some injuries, like brain bleeds or fractures, may not be immediately visible.

Documentation is crucial. The facility must record where the fall occurred, the resident’s condition before and after, and any environmental hazards. If key details are missing, it could indicate negligence.

Immediate notification is required. Nursing home management, the resident’s physician, and the family should be informed right away. Delays in reporting could be a red flag. Also, if the resident suffers a fall and is on a blood thinner, they may need to be sent to the hospital for a head CT scan to rule out potential brain bleed.

Monitoring and Evaluation

The first 72 hours after a fall are critical.

Many injuries don’t show symptoms right away, so staff must observe the resident closely for pain, dizziness, confusion, or worsening mobility. Regular vital sign checks, including orthostatic blood pressure readings, help detect hidden issues.

A TRIPS form (Tracking Record for Improving Safety) or similar form should document what happened, staff actions, and any changes in condition. The fall must also be categorized using tools like the Morse Fall Scale to assess future risk.

Investigation and Preventative Actions

If there’s a chance of serious injury, X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs should be ordered. Even if the resident seems fine, internal damage, such as slow brain bleeds, could develop.

To prevent future falls, the nursing home should implement additional fall risk prevention interventions such as increased supervision, use of bed alarms, or modify mobility support. The resident’s care plan must be timely updated  to address new risks.

How to Identify Negligence in Fall Accidents

Not every fall is a sign of negligence, but certain red flags suggest a deeper issue.

Documentation Discrepancies

Proper documentation is critical after a fall. If an incident report is missing or incomplete, that’s a major red flag.

If there are inconsistencies in what staff members report—such as different explanations of how the fall happened or when it was discovered—it could indicate an attempt to hide mistakes.

Delays and Inadequate Medical Response

Immediate medical attention can prevent complications, but in some cases, nursing home staff delay assessments or fail to recognize the seriousness of the fall.

A lack of prompt evaluation for head trauma, fractures, or internal injuries puts residents at greater risk.

If the facility neglects required vital sign checks or fails to monitor neurological symptoms, it puts the resident in danger.

Systemic Failures

Neglect often stems from deeper facility-wide issues. Understaffing can lead to slower response times and missed warning signs.

If a nursing home does not conduct a root cause analysis after a fall—meaning they don’t investigate why it happened—the same mistakes will continue.

A fall should trigger a review of the resident’s care plan, and if adjustments aren’t made within a few days, it’s a sign that the facility is not taking proper action.

Prevention Protocol Lapses

A well-run nursing home should have individualized fall prevention measures in place. If a resident is prone to falls, their care plan should include interventions like bed alarms, mobility assistance, or non-slip footwear.

Environmental hazards such as poor lighting, slippery floors, or cluttered hallways should also be addressed. When these basic precautions are ignored, the risk of another fall increases, putting residents in serious danger.

The Importance of Legal Counsel in Fall Accidents

When a nursing home fails to properly respond to a fall, legal action may be necessary to hold them accountable and seek justice for your loved one.

Investigating Negligence

An attorney can help gather critical evidence, including medical records and incident reports, to determine whether the facility followed proper procedures.

A TRIPS form (or similar investigative tool) review can reveal missing details, inconsistencies, or signs that staff failed to document the fall accurately. These findings are key to proving negligence.

Securing Authoritative Testimony

Medical professionals play an important role in fall cases by reviewing records and identifying deviations from standard care.

Their testimony helps establish whether the nursing home’s actions—or inaction—contributed to the resident’s injury. Professional opinions can be powerful evidence in both negotiations and court.

Pursuing Compensation

Legal counsel can negotiate with the nursing home and insurance companies to cover medical expenses, pain, suffering, and long-term care costs.

If a fair settlement isn’t reached, a personal injury lawsuit may be necessary to ensure the facility is held responsible for its failures and to ensure that the same incident does not happen to any other resident at the nursing home

Nebraska Residents: Contact Us Today for a Consultation

If your loved one suffered an unwitnessed fall in a nursing home and you suspect neglect, you don’t have to face this alone.

The Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Law Firm, powered by Reed Law Offices, PC, LLO, is dedicated to protecting Nebraska seniors and holding nursing homes accountable.

Call us at 402-933-0588 for a consultation. Let’s work together to ensure your loved one gets the care and justice they deserve.