In zinc, 38 mm in diameter. The obverse features a raised profile of Karl I. The medal maker's name, R. Placht, is in the neck undercut. The reverse has the Latin phrase "Laeso Militi" ("Wounded Soldier"), and the year of the medal's issue in Roman numerals. The edge is stamped with letters "GW", which stands for Gottlib Wellner, German silversmiths, or, possibly, "Grossman, Wien", and the number 18, apparently for 1918. The ribbon has one stripe in the middle, for one wound.

The medallion is in very fine condition. The metal is nicely darkened on the obverse and shows a tiny oxidation spot to the right of the emperor's mouth; a little less evenly on the reverse and showing a round oxidation spot at 5 o'clock. The ribbon appears to be original. The reverse shows pieces of gray paper, most likely stuck there after removing the medal from a display, but otherwise in very fine condition.