The Mayo Clinic describes the Glasgow Coma Scale as a 15-point test that is used to help medical personnel evaluate the initial severity of a brain injury. The extent to which a person can follow directions, the ability to move eyes and limbs, and coherence of speech are scored numerically. The higher the score, the milder the injury.
Following is the Glasgow Coma Scale, as presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
The Glasgow Coma Scale
Eye-Opening Response
Spontaneous—open with blinking at baseline: 4 points
To verbal stimuli, command, and speech: 3 points
To pain only (not applied to face): 2 points
No response: 1 point
Verbal Response
Oriented: 5 points
Confused conversation, but able to answer questions: 4 points
Inappropriate words: 3 points
Incomprehensible speech: 2 points
No response: 1 point
Motor Response
Obeys commands for movement: 6 points
Purposeful movement to painful stimulus: 5 points
Withdraws in response to pain: 4 points
Flexion in response to pain (decorticate posturing): 3 points
Extension response in response to pain (decerebrate posturing): 2 points
No response: 1 point
Head Injury Classification
Severe Head Injury—GCS score of 8 or less
Moderate Head Injury—GCS score of 9 to 12
Mild Head Injury—GCS score of 13 to 15
A brain injury can ruin a life. If someone you love suffered a brain injury at the hands of another, contact a Kentucky brain injury lawyer at Gray and White Law. Call us at 502-210-8942 or toll free at 888-450-4456, and we’ll set up a FREE, no-obligation consultation with you.