Deron Elliott, 36, is suing Yale-New Haven Hospital for an alleged assault that occurred while he was a patient there in 2002.

Elliott, who has bipolar disorder, claims three security guards assaulted him with pepper spray because he was kicking in his bed and refused to get into restraints. Elliott’s parents had him admitted to the hospital in order to help control his outbursts, one of which resulted in his arrest for causing a disturbance at a factory outlet mall.

The lawsuit also names the security guards, Nick Donofrio, Thomas Peterson and G. Ginnette, as defendants and seeks unspecified damages for pain. The suit claims the guards used excessive force by spraying Elliott at close range.

The Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities reported the hospital staff did not use proper de-escalation techniques before spraying Elliott, even though he was yelling and making threats.

Hospital spokesman Vin Petrini said he is not able to comment on current litigation.

“It is the hospital’s belief that when the facts of this case are presented, it will be shown that Yale-New Haven Hospital acted appropriately under the circumstances,” Petrini said.