Missed Diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)

Written by Tanya Waterworth, Digital Content Writer

About Our Legal Expert: This content is produced with oversight by Michael Jefferies, Managing Director who has over 30 years’ legal experience.

What You Can Do Next to Claim Compensation

A missed diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) can result in irreversible complications such as permanent sight loss or a stroke. When this condition is not identified and quickly treated, a patent may suffer severe consequences. While not every missed diagnosis amounts to negligence, if an error occurs which results in harm to the patient, there may be grounds for a clinical negligence claim.

Clinical negligence is when the standard of medical care fell below an accepted standard which result in harm to the patient.

Our blog takes a look as to how this may happen with Giant Cell Arteritis and what to do next if this has happened to you.

What You Should Know About Giant Cell Arteritis

According to the NHS, Giant Cell Arteritis, also known as Temporal Arteritis is an inflammatory condition affecting the large and medium arteries, most commonly those in the head and neck. It is regarded as a medical emergency because inflammation can restrict blood flow to the eyes and brain, leading to sudden and permanent damage.

GCA typically affects adults over 50 and is more common in women. Early recognition is vital because rapid treatment with corticosteroids can prevent serious complications.

Symptoms of Giant Cell Arteritis

GCA can present subtly and patients often report a combination of the following:

• Severe temporal headaches: usually on one side of the head, often described as new and persistent.
• Scalp tenderness: discomfort when brushing hair or touching the scalp.
• Jaw pain: pain or fatigue in the jaw when chewing.
• Visual disturbances: blurred vision, double vision, or transient vision loss.
• General symptoms: fatigue, fever, weight loss, and night sweats.
• Polymyalgia rheumatica symptoms: stiffness and pain in the shoulders or hips.

Because these symptoms overlap with other conditions, an experienced clinician should be alert to these symptoms. Vasculitis UK has comprehensive information about GCA, including making a diagnosis and treatments.

What GCA May Be Commonly Misdiagnosed As

GCA can mimic several other conditions, which is why delays or errors in diagnosis may sometimes occur. Common misdiagnoses may include:

• Migraine: due to the presence of severe headaches.
• Tension headaches: especially when symptoms are mild.
• Dental problems: jaw pain may be mistaken for dental infection or a joint disorder, such as TMJ.
• Sinusitis: overlapping facial pain and pressure.
• Stroke or TIA: particularly when visual symptoms are present.
• Age‑related vision issues: early visual disturbances may be attributed to cataracts or macular degeneration.

While misdiagnosis can happen even with competent care, problems arise when clinicians fail to take appropriate steps to rule out GCA despite clear warning signs.

🟦 Real‑Life Example 1: Missed Red Flags Leading to Permanent Sight Loss

Case Example: “Mrs A” : Delayed Steroid Treatment Mrs A, 72, repeatedly saw her GP with a new unilateral headache, scalp tenderness, and jaw pain, all classic signs of GCA. She was instead diagnosed with tension headaches, and no blood tests or urgent referral were arranged. Even after reporting brief visual disturbances, steroids were not prescribed.

Two weeks later, she suffered permanent sight loss in one eye. Experts later found that earlier investigation and immediate steroid treatment would likely have prevented this avoidable harm.

🟦 Real‑Life Example 2: Misdiagnosed as Sinusitis Despite Classic Symptoms

Case Example: “Mr B” : Misdiagnosed as Sinus Infection Mr B, 68, attended urgent care with temporal headaches, jaw pain, fatigue, and shoulder stiffness which symptoms were strongly suggestive of GCA. He was diagnosed with sinusitis and given antibiotics without any blood tests or safety‑netting advice. When double vision developed, he was again reassured. Only after further deterioration did A&E diagnose GCA. Although treatment prevented total blindness, he was left with lasting visual impairment. Independent review found that his symptoms should have triggered urgent investigation.

When a Missed Diagnosis of GCA May Be Medical Negligence

Not every missed diagnosis is negligent. So, medical negligence occurs when:

• A healthcare professional breaches their duty of care, and
• That breach causes avoidable harm.

To determine whether negligence occurred, the key question is whether another reasonably competent clinician would have acted differently.

A missed diagnosis of GCA may be negligent if:

• Symptoms were ignored: such as failing to investigate new headaches in a patient over 50.
• Urgent tests were not ordered: including ESR, CRP, or temporal artery biopsy.
• Steroid treatment was delayed: even a short delay can lead to irreversible sight loss.
• Referrals were not made: such as failing to refer urgently to rheumatology or ophthalmology.
• Follow‑up was inadequate: leading to deterioration that may have been prevented.

If these failures resulted in harm, such as permanent vision loss, you may have grounds for a claim.

What Harm Can Result from a Missed Diagnosis?

The consequences of delayed or missed GCA diagnosis can be severe and may include:

• Permanent sight loss in one or both eyes
• Stroke or transient ischaemic attack
• Aneurysm formation
• Long‑term disability
• Psychological trauma from sudden health deterioration

These outcomes are often preventable with timely treatment, which is why early recognition is so important.

What To Do If You Suspect Negligence in a Missed GCA Diagnosis

If you believe your GCA diagnosis was delayed or missed due to negligence, taking the following steps can considerably help in a medical negligence claim:

1. Request your medical records

You are legally entitled to them, and they provide essential evidence of what happened.

2. Write down your timeline

Record symptoms, appointments, advice given, and when complications developed.

3. Seek a second medical opinion

This ensures you receive appropriate ongoing care and may help clarify whether earlier intervention could have prevented harm.

4. Speak to a specialist medical negligence solicitor

A solicitor experienced in clinical negligence claims can assess whether the standard of care you received fell below what is reasonably expected. We partner with clinical negligence solicitors who offer a free, initial consultation to assess whether you have a valid claim

5. Act within the time limits

In the UK, you generally have three years from the date of negligence, or the date you became aware of it, to bring a claim for compensation.

Why GCA Claims Require Specialist Legal Expertise

GCA cases tend to be medically complex as they often involve:

• Interpreting inflammatory marker trends
• Reviewing ophthalmology and rheumatology assessments
• Analysing whether steroids should have been started earlier
• Understanding the progression of visual loss

A clinical negligence solicitor will work with independent medical experts to determine whether the delay in diagnosis directly caused your injury.

How Compensation Can Help

Compensation cannot reverse the harm caused by GCA, but it can support your future needs. Therefore, a successful claim may typically cover:

• Loss of earnings
• Care and assistance
• Specialist equipment
• Adaptations to your home
• Ongoing medical treatment
• Pain, suffering, and loss of amenity

The aim is to help you rebuild your life after avoidable medical harm.

How We Can Help

A missed diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis is not always medical negligence, but when clear symptoms are overlooked or treatment is delayed without good reason, you may be eligible to make a clinical negligence claim.

If you believe your condition was mishandled resulting in harm and want to explore your next step, we can help you to start a medical negligence claim. Our partner lawyers will explain whether your situation may meet the negligence threshold.

We work with highly experienced lawyers in this field who operate on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis. Be assured that our team will give you the support and understanding you need at this difficult time. 

Call us at 0333 358 3034 for a free no-obligation chat or visit our Contact Us Page.

This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Always consult with a medical professional and a qualified solicitor to understand your specific circumstances.