In a falls investigation, what is primarily determined?

In a falls investigation, determining the height and cause of the fall is critical to understanding the circumstances surrounding the incident. This information helps establish how the fall occurred, which can be crucial for assessing liability, safety measures that need to be put in place, and identifying any contributing factors to the fall.

The height of the fall can provide insights into the potential severity of injuries sustained, as falls from greater heights generally result in more significant harm. Understanding the cause of the fall is equally important; it may involve analyzing factors like environmental hazards, physical obstacles, or medical conditions that may have contributed to the person losing their balance or strength.

While other elements such as the time of the fall, the weight of the individual, and weather conditions can play a role in an overall investigation, they do not provide the fundamental analysis of how and why the fall happened in the first place. Since the investigation aims to uncover the underlying factors of the incident, focusing on the height and cause is essential.