California Penal Code § 12022.7 PC – Great Bodily Injury (GBI) Enhancement

What Qualifies as Great Bodily Injury Under PC 12022.7?

Under California Penal Code 12022.7(f), great bodily injury (GBI) means a significant or substantial physical injury—something more serious than minor cuts, scrapes, or discomfort. Whether an injury qualifies as GBI is not automatically decided by the type of injury alone; it’s typically left to a judge or jury to decide based on the specific facts of the case.

Importantly, GBI doesn’t have to be permanent or life-threatening. What matters is that the injury caused serious physical harm beyond what’s considered minor or moderate.

Physical Injuries That May Qualify as GBI Under California Law

• Broken bones or fractures

• Concussions, especially with loss of consciousness

• Gunshot wounds

• Second- or third-degree burns

• Deep cuts or lacerations that require stitches

• Permanent scarring or disfigurement

• Paralysis or loss of bodily function

• Traumatic brain injuries

• Dog bites resulting in significant tissue damage

• Severe swelling, bruising, or internal injuries

Each case is different, and prosecutors often try to stretch the definition of GBI to increase sentencing exposure. That’s why it’s critical to work with a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who can challenge whether the injury truly meets the legal threshold.

When Does PC 12022.7 Apply in a Criminal Case?

A sentencing enhancement for great bodily injury (GBI) can be added when someone is convicted of a felony or attempted felony and personally causes serious physical harm to another person—not an accomplice. This enhancement increases the potential prison time and can turn an otherwise low-level felony into a much more serious case.

Common Felony Charges That May Trigger a GBI Enhancement

• Assault with a deadly weapon (Penal Code 245)

•  Corporal Injury To Spouse (Penal Code 273.5)

• Robbery (Penal Code 211)

• DUI causing injury (Vehicle Code 23153)

• Attempted murder (Penal Code §§ 664/187)

When Does a Great Bodily Injury Enhancement Not Apply?

• Misdemeanor charges

• Minor or moderate injuries

• Injuries caused by someone other than the defendant

• Injuries that occurred before or after the felony act

• Charges like murder or manslaughter (where serious harm is already assumed)

• Certain arson offenses (PC 451 or 452)

• Felony hit-and-run (Vehicle Code § 20001)

PC 12022.7 Sentencing Enhancements & Penalties

When the prosecution proves that a defendant personally caused great bodily injury during the commission of a felony, the court can impose additional prison time on top of the base sentence. These extra years are served consecutively—meaning they’re added after the main sentence, not served at the same time.

The length of the sentence enhancement depends on the facts of the case, including the nature of the injury and the victim’s age:

• 3 extra years for most felonies where GBI is proven

• 5 extra years if the injury caused paralysis or a coma due to brain trauma

• 5 extra years if the victim was 70 years old or older

• 4, 5, or 6 extra years if the victim was a child under the age of five

• 3, 4, or 5 extra years when the GBI occurred in the context of domestic violence

In addition to the extended sentence, a GBI enhancement usually qualifies as a “strike” under California’s Three Strikes Law. That means future felony convictions—regardless of type—could lead to doubled sentences or even life in prison.