How Is the Severity of a Brain Injury Determined?

How Serious Is Your Brain Injury?

There is one test that doctors can use to determine how severe a brain injury is — The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). The GCS uses a scoring system that assesses the level of consciousness in a brain injury victim. The result can help medical professionals determine the best way to treat a person’s brain injury as well as make an assessment of recovery time and prognosis. Read on to learn how the GCS works.

How Is Scoring Used in the Glasgow Coma Scale?

The GCS scoring system is used to measure the following functions and level of consciousness:

Eye Opening

• 4: spontaneous
• 3: to sound
• 2: to pressure
• 1: none
• NT: not testable

Verbal Response

• 5: oriented
• 4: confused
• 3: words, but not coherent
• 2: sounds, but no words
• 1: none
• NT: not testable

Motor Response

• 6: obeys command
• 5: localizing
• 4: normal flexion
• 3: abnormal flexion
• 2: extension
• 1: none
• NT: not testable

Determining Brain Injury Classifications

Using the GCS scoring system above, the patient’s brain injury may be classified into one of three types of brain injuries: mild, moderate, and severe. While mild brain injuries such as a concussion can cause temporary symptoms, the long-term consequences of moderate or severe brain injuries can pose cognitive issues, physical impairments, and emotional or behavioral problems.

• Mild: GCS score 13 – 15
• Moderate: GCS score 9-12
• Severe: GCS score 8 or less

It’s important to understand that the GCS is just one tool to help doctors determine how a brain injury should be treated. Other diagnostics are also used in conjunction with the GCS, such as MRIs and CT scans.

Suffered a Brain Injury After a Car Accident? We Can Help

Brain injuries are never to be taken lightly. Whether mild, moderate, or severe, it can lead to long-term complications and have an impact on someone’s life forever. If you’ve suffered a brain injury after a car accident, our team of experienced lawyers is here to help you every step of the way. When you need to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC can help you every step of the way.

It’s Easy With Montesi! Contact us today at (901) 526-2126 to schedule a consultation and learn your rights.