What is the Injury Severity Score and How Does it Affect

Your Case?

After an injury, you will seek medical attention at a hospital. The physicians at the
hospital will use the Injury Severity Score (ISS) to assess the severity of your
injuries. The ISS is associated with the mortality, morbidity, and hospitalization time
you will need after your injury. It defines a major trauma and separates out minor
injuries. A major trauma is one that has a score of more than 15 on the ISS.
After you are injured in an accident, your ISS score could be used as evidence for
your personal injury case, because that ISS score reflects the severity of your injury
and the length you might have to endure that injury.

The Scores and What They Mean

There are nine chapters of the ISS that correspond with bodily regions. These
regions are scored individually, based on the injuries sustained. The nine regions
include:
1. Head
2. Face
3. Neck
4. Thorax
5. Abdomen
6. Spine
7. Upper Extremity
8. Lower Extremity
9. External
For each area of the body, you will have a severity score for that section based on a
six-point score system that includes:
1 - Minor Injury
2 - Moderate Injury
3 - Serious Injury
4 - Severe Injury
5 - Critical Injury
6 - Maximal Injury (cannot be treated)

How is Your ISS Calculated?

The ISS is calculated by taking the highest severity code of the three most severely
injured areas, then squaring them. If any of the areas score a six or more, they
receive maximum score. However, a six or more is an unrevivable indication
further medical care may preserve life, but not qualify of life.

What Does the ISS Mean for Your Personal Injury Claim?
The more severe your injury score in the ISS, the more proof you have that you have
sustained a serious injury. Anything with serious, severe, or critical effects are
considered catastrophic injuries that often have long-term consequences. Therefore,
you are more likely to receive a higher settlement for that injury compared to
someone with a moderate injury.
Injured in an Accident? Contact an Injury Advocate
Whether your injury was moderate or critical, or if you lost a loved one in a tragic
accident, you need an advocate who will fight for your right to collect
compensation.
Contact an attorney from Brett McCandlis Brown, PLLC today to explore your
options. Schedule a consultation now with an attorney at 800-925-1875 or reach out
to us online.