(Portland, Oregon) — In a lawsuit filed on September 13th, 2010, Portland-based Qmedtrix Systems, Inc. seeks a permanent injunction to stop a former employee from testifying about the company’s medical bill review practices. The five-count Complaint alleges, among other things, that R. William von Sydow–formerly Director of National Dispute Resolution for Qmedtrix–breached his Confidentiality Agreement with the company in conversations with a hospital’s lawyer in Florida. The company’s Complaint requests a jury trial and seeks $1,000,000.00 in actual as well as punitive damages.

Also on Monday, Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge John A. Wittmayer granted Qmedtrix a temporary restraining order to prevent Mr. von Sydow from representing any party or testifying in any proceeding that involves or relates in any way to the company’s services. This restraining order explains that Mr. von Sydow is a lawyer who has “gone to the other side” of the industry.

As the company’s Complaint describes, Qmedtrix offers medical bill review services for workers’ compensation carriers, third-party administrators, bill review companies, self-insured corporations, and state funds. Qmedtrix has developed an extensive database and unique proprietary methodology for determining fair and reasonable payment to health care providers. As part of its service to customers, Qmedtrix conducts medical bill audits and comparative reviews, and makes recommendations concerning payment amounts. In the event of a dispute with a health care provider, Qmedtrix also offers assistance to its customers in litigation or negotiations.

From June 2006 until his termination in July of this year, Mr. von Sydow served as Director of National Dispute Resolution for Qmedtrix. In that role, he advised Qmedtrix’s senior staff, negotiation team members, and bill reviewers on various legal issues and strategies. Mr. von Sydow also advised Qmedtrix’s customers and outside counsel regarding various administrative and court proceedings nationwide. He also provided expert testimony regarding Qmedtrix’s methodology on behalf of the company’s customers.

A declaration attached to the Complaint by Dr. Merrit Quarum, Qmedtrix’s CEO and President, alleges that Mr. von Sydow’s conduct has injured and will continue to injure the company’s reputation and credibility in the industry and impact the ability of Qmedtrix to litigate or negotiate claims. “There are many pending proceedings in other states in which defendant could engage in similar conduct,” this declaration continues. “If he does so, it will result in immediate and irreparable harm to Qmedtrix”

The hearing on Qmedtrix’s motion for a permanent injunction is scheduled for Friday, September 17, 2010.