About Dawn Treloar
Formerly a Nursing Sister specialising in neurosurgery and trauma intensive care, Dawn has a BSc(Hons) in Nursing and thirteen years clinical nursing experience, which assists hugely in her medical negligence legal practice.
Dawn’s practice includes claims ranging from less severe injuries to maximum severity injuries, across all fields of care – including obstetrics, surgical, medical, GP, ophthalmology and cosmetic surgery. Dawn has a particular interest in brain and spinal injury claims, and enjoy dealing with challenging, complex claims.
Dawn has a proven track record of achieving excellent results for her clients, and she is an accredited member of the Law Society Clinical Negligence Scheme.
"Dawn Treloar is industrious, knowledgeable and careful. She really looks after her clients." "Dawn Treloar is a former ITU nurse, which greatly enhances the quality of her case management and advice." Legal 500, 2022
"exceptional. Brilliant with clients but at the same time incredibly thorough and has great analytical skills." Legal 500, 2021
Dawn is a recommended lawyer by Legal 500, 2021.
Notable Cases
2015
- A liability admitted obstetric case one working day before trial; the extent of causation was robustly disputed, hence the late settlement, but a very good outcome was achieved for my client.
- A cosmetic surgery case against a private surgeon who had surpassed his insurance indemnity limit; full recovery of damages was achieved.
I represented families at two separate inquests where the deceased both died after having interventional radiology procedures and those caring for them after these procedures failed to recognise that they were haemorrhaging afterwards. One of these cases attracted media attention, with coverage in the local press and I was interviewed on BBC Radio Kent.
2014
- A fatal claim for five Claimants from the same family, where the deceased was a young father of three. The claims included a dependency claim for the immediate family, and nervous shock claims for all claimants. Despite a denial of liability for the nervous shock claims based on the decision in Taylor v Novo, which was decided during the life of the case, the claim was settled on a global basis with all Claimants recovering damages in a Court approved settlement.
- A complex surgical case, settled shortly before the liability trial with an excellent result. The Claimant suffered a brain injury. There had been a robust denial of liability with the Defendant relying on ‘lay’ witness evidence from four Consultants, in addition to its expert evidence, all supporting the surgical care provided.
- A fatal claim where there was a failure to diagnose a dissecting aortic aneurysm in a young man. Damages were recovered for his wife and young family for his premature death.
- A fatal claim where an elderly lady died from dehydration in a major teaching hospital in London.
2013
- A claim for a 17 year old female who suffered anaesthetic awareness during chest drain insertion, causing a severe psychiatric injury. Loss of earnings/career delay claimed, excellent result.
- A claim for failure to detect and monitor non-negligently caused damage to a heart valve during pacemaker extraction surgery, causing a delay in treatment and unnecessary suffering during that time.
- A claim for a young female for a delayed diagnosis of appendicitis. She suffered septic shock and required care in the intensive care unit.
- A claim for an elderly gentleman for failure to detect a wound leak following cataract removal surgery. Treatment was delayed, resulting in loss of useful vision in that eye. Damages recovered reflected the risk of complete loss of vision as the Claimant had an early cataract in his other eye.
- A claim for delayed diagnosis of a prolapsed lumbar disc in an elderly gentleman, with a consequent delay in surgery, causing limb weakness with a consequent loss of independence, restricted mobility, and depression.
- A claim for failure to properly monitor blood pressure during pregnancy and to detect pre-eclampsia, resulting in a brain haemorrhage.
- A claim settled within weeks of trial for substantial damages for my client who had suffered misdiagnosis of his arm complaint. Inappropriate surgery was performed, with devastating consequences for the wheelchair bound Claimant.
- The client, who was wheel-chair bound and therefore very dependent on his arms, suffered malunion of the bones in his forearm. This caused weakness and loss of function in the affected arm, with a consequent significant loss of independence for my client.
2011/12
- Settlements include a fatal claim for the death of a 7 month old child who had been given a fatal dose of anti-convulsants whilst an in-patient in hospital. A 3 day inquest was heard, and the Coroner returned a verdict of accidental death to which neglect contributed to natural disease. The Coroner made a report to the National Patient Safety Agency highlighting concerns over sub-optimal prescribing issues nationally for junior doctors and nurses. A GMC investigation also took place. The claim settled for damages alongside conditions to be met by the Trust in respect of implementing a National Patient Safety Agency Rapid Response Alert, auditing this and reporting back to the Claimants.
Client Comments
- “It really is a pleasure to know someone a thoughtful as you… “
- “Thank you so much again and again.”
- “We would like once more to express our gratitude for your unfailing and competent support in this matter.”
“You have always treated us with compassion, understanding and patience. You will always have a place in our hearts, not just because of how hard you worked on our behalf but because of the feeling of quiet confidence you exude.”
Professional Comments
- “Well done to you. I think the client owes you a great deal of gratitude for all your effort and skill.”
- “Your hard work and attention to detail is evident in both your output and outcomes.”
"Well done to you. I think the client owes you a great deal of gratitude for all your effort and skill."
Memberships & Appointments
- Law Society Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme member
Career & Personal Interests
Career
- Partner, Hodge Jones & Allen, 2016 – present
- Senior Associate, Hodge Jones & Allen, 2014 – 2016
- Associate, Hodge Jones & Allen, 2011 – 2014
- Solicitor, Hodge Jones & Allen, 2009 – 2011
- Trainee solicitor, TV Edwards LLP, 2006 – 2008
- Paralegal, TV Edwards LLP, 2004 – 2006
- 13 years of NHS nursing (1988 – 2004), specialising in Neurosurgical/Intensive Care Nursing. Dawn was a Sister in Intensive Care in a major trauma centre in London before embarking on her legal career.
Education
- College of Law, London – Legal Practice Course with Commendation, 2004
- University of Westminster – Graduate Diploma in Law with Commendation, 2003
- University of Plymouth – BSc (Hons) Nursing (Post registration), 2001
- Registered Nurse 1991, specialist clinical courses in Neuroscience Nursing and General Intensive Care Nursing completed thereafter
Personal Interests
Dawn enjoys keeping fit through military training sessions and yoga. Dawn is an avid supporter of her young son’s sporting and musical interests (particularly rugby and choir).
