LocumTenens.com announced last week it filed a federal lawsuit against Staff Care Inc., the locum tenens division of AMN Healthcare Services Inc. (NYSE: AHS) and AMN itself. The suit claims tortious interference with LocumTenens.com's contracts with providers and clients.

The suit involves an incident in Jefferson Hills PA earlier this year where LocumTenens.com claims Staff Care improperly notified a client that it had all rights to place a doctor who LocumTenens.com said it had the contract to place, according to the lawsuit.

LocumTenens.com, a division of Jackson Healthcare, also cited two other incidents involving the same doctor and another doctor. The suit says Staff Care improperly notified clients it had the rights to place the doctors. A National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations arbitration committee ruled in favor of Locumtenens.com in both instances in 2006, but Staff Care did not change its position, according to the lawsuit.

AMN said it will respond to the allegations through the court system.

"AMN/SCI does not think it is appropriate or beneficial to the industry to wage a media campaign to resolve competitive disputes," Phil Miller, VP of communications for Staff Care, said in a statement. "It is not our policy to comment on pending litigation, and since a suit has been filed, AMN/SCI will respond to this matter through the courts and not the media."

LocumTenens.com's suit seeks compensatory damages, attorneys' fees and punitive damages.