Pete Bloss

George F. “Pete” Bloss is a shareholder based in the firm’s Gulfport office. Mr. Bloss represents a broad range of clients in various fields, with a focus on hospitals, health systems, clinics, medical staff, physician groups, individual physicians, and other health care providers. He also represents a wide variety of defendants in civil litigation, including products liability, admiralty, and maritime matters.

Pete is perhaps best known and recognized by his clients and peers for his vigorous and effective defense of physicians and other healthcare providers in medical malpractice claims.  He has been recognized with an AV Preeminent rating by Martindale Hubbell. He is listed in US News and World Reports, Best Lawyers in America in both Medical Malpractice-Defendants, and Litigation-First Amendment Law. He has three times been named “Lawyer of the Year – Medical Malpractice – Defendants” (2019, 2016 and 2012) by Best Lawyers in America in his geographic area, and is listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers in the field of Medical Malpractice – Defendants. 

Healthcare disputes are becoming increasingly common as healthcare laws become more complex. Mr. Bloss has represented physicians, clinics, practice groups, nursing homes, dentists, pharmacies, and other healthcare entities in hundreds of claims and scores of cases tried to verdict and in appeals. He also represents clients before administrative boards and federal and state agencies, and has submitted numerous amicus curiae briefs on behalf of healthcare industry participants and associations. Matters have included disputes involving medical negligence and malpractice, private medical and healthcare information, antitrust, bankruptcy, patient competency, medical treatment and discontinuance of life support, Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements and set-asides, and free speech issues related to health care. He has been at the forefront in defending Mississippi Tort Reform legislation.

In his counseling practice, Mr. Bloss advises clients on compliance with the full range of healthcare-related federal laws and regulations, including privacy requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”), the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (“EMTALA”) and reporting requirements for the National Practitioners Data Bank. He also provides guidance on state healthcare statutes and agency policies such as the Mississippi Department of Health Regulations, Minimal Standards for Operation of Hospitals.  

Pete advises hospital medical staffs, officers and committees on a broad range of healthcare licensure, certification, operational, and delivery issues, including credentialing, quality assurance, peer review, outside review of care, Joint Commission accreditation, and continuing medical education and staff training. He regularly drafts and amends medical staff bylaws and assists in the interpretation and enforcement of policies, rules, and regulations. When potential issues arise, he conducts internal investigations relating to patient care and a broad range of provider issues, including behavioral problems, substance abuse, impairment, and other sensitive and confidential human resources matters. Mr. Bloss also negotiates and prepares contracts with third-party providers and contractors, and prepares contracts for pharmaceutical clinical trials principal investigators.

He routinely conducts risk-management analyses to help healthcare organizations identify and correct potential concerns before they develop into systemic, less tractable issues. Mr. Bloss has a robust government relations practice and represents industry participants and trade associations before elected and appointed officials, particularly in the field of tort reform.

Education

  • The University of Mississippi School of Law, J.D., 1974
  • University of Mississippi, B.P.A., 1972

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Mississippi
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Mississippi
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Mississippi
  • United States Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit

Honors and Awards

  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2019 (Copyright 2018 by Woodward/White, Inc., Aiken, SC) in the areas of Litigation – First Amendment and Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants (listed annually since 2001)
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers® as the 2019, 2016 and 2012 Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants “Lawyer of the Year” in Gulfport
  • AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating in Martindale-Hubbell
  • Listed in the 2019 edition of Mid-South Super Lawyers in the area of Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense (2006–2019)

Noteworthy Reported Cases

  • Booth v. Stephen C. Williams, M.D., 200 So.3d 1053 (Miss. Ct. App. 2016)
  • Allcock v. Antoinette Bannister, M.D., 106 So. 3d 790 (Miss. S. Ct. 2012)
  • Henley v. Frank Martin, M.D., 105 So. 3d 417 (Miss. Ct. App. 2011)
  • Hans v. Arthur Sproles M.D., 40 So. 3d 1270 (Miss. Ct. App. 2010)
  • Collins v. Gulfport Surgery Clinic, PLLC, 2007 WL 2746783 (S.D. Miss. 2007)
  • Harriel v. Biloxi HMA, Inc., 964 So. 2d 600 (Miss. Ct. App. 2007)
  • Hubbard v. Billy Wansley, M.D., 954 So. 2d 951 (Miss. S. Ct. 2007)
  • Pitalo v. GPCH-GP, Inc., 933 So. 2d 926 (Miss. S. Ct. 2006)
  • Kemp v. Biolab, 2005 WL 1595669 (S.D. Miss. 2005)

Presentations

  • “Sawbones and Jawbones”, Summer School for Lawyers; Lecture and PowerPoint Presentation on Current Issues In Medical Malpractice Litigation; Mississippi Bar Association (For CLE credit).
  • “Tips for Maintaining an Independent Self-Governing Medical Staff”, Mississippi State Medical Association Annual and Semi-Annual Meetings, 2016, 2015 (for CME Credit.
  • “Reptile: A New Way Plaintiffs’ Lawyers Brainwash Your Jurors and What You Can Do About It”, 2012, Medical Assurance Company of Mississippi, Defense Counsel Seminar
  • “New Wave of Physician Lawsuits: Liability for Unintended Patient Privacy Violations”, 2009, Coast Counties Medical Society, Hancock Medical Center
  • “New HIPAA Pitfalls and Liability Hidden in 2009 Economic Stimulus Package: More Trojan Horses from Our Friends in Washington”, 2009, Coast Counties Medical Society, Jackson County Medical Society, Hancock Medical Center
  • “Mississippi Rule of Evidence 35”, 2004, Medical Assurance Company of Mississippi, Defense Counsel Seminar
  • “Physical and Mental Examinations in Mississippi – New Rule 35”, 2003, Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association Seminar
  • “The Facts Regarding the Medical Malpractice Insurance Crisis”, 2003, Medical Staff, Memorial Hospital at Gulfport

Professional and Community Affiliations

  • American Bar Association (Member, Sections of Health Law, Torts and Insurance)
  • American Inns of Court, Russell, Blass, Walker Chapter
  • Defense Research Institute (Member, Section of Health Law)
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Harrison County Bar Association
  • Medical Benevolence Foundation (National Board of Trustees; Supplies Free Refurbished Medical Equipment and Supplies to Clinics and Hospitals in Third World Countries, Administers Federal ASHA Hospital and Clinic Grants)
  • Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association (Former Officer and Director)
  • Mississippi Supreme Court (Member, Advisory Committee on Rules by Supreme Court appointment, 1999 to date)
  • The Mississippi Bar (Member, Section of Health Law)
  • Westminster Presbyterian Church (Elder, Clerk of Session)