The parents of the American baby boy who died in the care of a British teenager, Louise Woodward, have made a multi-million-dollar claim over their son's death.

In their submission to a court in Boston, Deborah and Sunil Eappen said they were seeking both compensatory and punitive damages.

They said all they had left of their son Matthew were memories.

Their claim names no specific amount, but is understood to refer to previous awards in such cases of up to eighteen-million dollars.

The Eappens say they know Miss Woodward can't pay the money, but they want to make sure she doesn't profit from selling her story.

Miss Woodward was convicted of manslaughter in connection with Matthew's death a year ago, but is now back in England.