Abuse at nursing homes is a topic of increasing interest to the baby boomer generation and their loved ones. Doing all the proper research to place a loved one in a nursing home should put families at ease, but plenty of reports and lawsuits show just how often elder abuse and neglect occur in these facilities.

A recent report by the Arizona Republic, a USA Today affiliate, highlights another troubling statistic: the number of people who die unexpectedly inside nursing homes. While some instances are ruled accidents or deaths due to natural causes, some consumer advocates and family members want to know why high numbers of unexpected deaths are so common.

According to the Arizona Republic, many of the nursing homes that have had unexpected or suspicious deaths have received high marks from the Arizona Department of Health Services. However, that same agency shared that more than 120 patients have died unexpectedly in Arizona’s long-term-care facilities since 2013.

It’s harder to get data for facilities like the Arizona State Veteran Home, however, so it’s likely the numbers of unexpected deaths go even higher, according to the newspaper.

When nursing home staff takes advantage of a resident’s medical conditions, this can lead to fatal injuries. In some cases, wrongful death lawsuits are filed by family members who believe the nursing home should be held accountable.

Unexpected Deaths in Nursing Homes

Even though residents in nursing homes have more rights, and technically their family members can file abuse lawsuits or wrongful death claims, issues of abuse and neglect are still common throughout nursing homes in the U.S.

Some family members who have lost loved ones claim the deaths are hidden inside the facility, with bodies transported down the halls quietly or after hours.

While the majority of a nursing home population is likely to be elderly, unexpected deaths can and do occur, reports health news website Stat. From incorrect medications to infected bedsores and repeated falls with severe injuries, a nursing home patient could suffer abuse or neglect.

Nursing homes around the country have struggled to keep adequate staff, and, in light of the rising baby boomer population requiring nursing home care, have been accused of falling short in-patient protections.

Defining Elder Abuse

At the time of this writing, there’s not a standard definition of elder abuse. Generally, however, the National Center of Elder Abuse says the term refers to psychological, physical, or sexual abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect of an older person.

Elder abuse can and does happen everywhere, but it’s most common in nursing homes due to the large population of elderly residents.

Filing an elder abuse lawsuit can hold nursing homes accountable for failing to meet a basic standard of care. This can include failing to turn patients as needed to avoid bedsores, not providing appropriate food and nutrition, and failing to prevent falls and other accidents inside the facility.

If you or a loved one has already suffered abuse in a nursing home, you may have a legal claim. Top Class Actions can help you to identify a lawyer.