Parents suing NRI doctor for "wrongful" death of son

The parents of a three-year-old boy, who died after a surgery by an Indian-origin doctor in Portland in 1999, are suing the surgeon and seeking $ 1.5 million for "wrongful death and malpractice."

The surgeon, Jayant Patel, is also facing possible manslaughter charges in Australia for alleged botched surgeries.

Patel has been named in the lawsuit for the death of Ian McClellan on February 14, 1999 in Portland, Oregon. The suit seeks $ 1.5 million, claiming wrongful death and malpractice.

Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Oregon Health and Science University in Portland and the Oregon Board of Medical Examiner have been named as defendants, media reports said.

Court documents said the kid died shortly after Patel performed an abdominal surgery at a Children's Hospital, which is said to be a branch of Oregon Health and Science University.

Apparently during surgery the kid's small bowel was punctured leading to leakage and infection.

Patel moved to Australia where he was hired by a regional hospital in 2003. He faces four charges of manslaughter in the connection of deaths of at least 13 patients. Patel is now believed to be in the Portland area.