No Fee Unless We Win · Free Consultation

Personal Injury Attorney in
Lake Charles, LA

When someone else’s negligence injures you, Jacob Colonna fights to recover what you are owed — medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. 17 years of trial experience in Southwest Louisiana courts.

Free Consultation → Call (337) 656-3212

200+ Five-Star Google Reviews

17 Years of Trial Experience

No Fee Unless We Win Contingency Fee Representation

Injured in an accident in Lake Charles? Jacob Colonna represents injury victims in Lake Charles and Calcasieu Parish on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless he recovers compensation for you. Call (337) 656-3212 for a free 30-minute consultation.

Personal Injury in Louisiana

Fighting for injury victims in Southwest Louisiana

A serious injury changes everything. Medical bills arrive before you can return to work. Insurance adjusters call quickly, making offers that rarely reflect the full value of your claim. In these moments, having an attorney who understands Louisiana personal injury law — and who is prepared to take your case to trial if necessary — makes a real difference in the outcome.

Jacob Colonna has represented injury victims in Lake Charles for 17 years. He handles car accidents, truck crashes, maritime injuries, workplace accidents, and premises liability claims — cases that require knowledge of Louisiana’s specific negligence and liability statutes as well as the willingness to fight insurance companies when they refuse to pay fairly.

Louisiana Negligence Law and Comparative Fault

Louisiana is a pure comparative fault state under La. C.C. Art. 2323. This means that even if you were partially at fault for an accident, you can still recover damages — your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies often use comparative fault arguments to reduce settlements. Jacob anticipates these arguments and builds cases that minimize your fault percentage while maximizing the defendant’s.

Southwest Louisiana's Unique Personal Injury Landscape

Lake Charles and Calcasieu Parish sit at the intersection of several high-risk injury environments: a major petrochemical corridor along the I-10 between Lake Charles and Baton Rouge, the Calcasieu Ship Channel and Port of Lake Charles, active offshore oil and gas operations, and heavy truck traffic on I-10 and I-210. Jacob understands the specific statutes, federal regulations, and industry standards that govern these environments — including the Jones Act, LHWCA, and FMCSA trucking regulations.

No Fee Unless We Win

Personal injury cases at Colonna Law Firm are handled on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless and until Jacob recovers compensation on your behalf. This means every injured person has access to experienced legal representation regardless of their financial situation at the time of the injury.

Contingency Fee Representation

You pay no attorney fees unless Jacob recovers compensation for you. Call (337) 656-3212 for a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your case.

Personal Injury Practice Areas

Cases Jacob handles in Southwest Louisiana

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Car Accidents

Louisiana’s roads and I-10 corridor see serious car accidents regularly. Jacob handles liability disputes, comparative fault arguments, and uninsured motorist claims for injured victims across Calcasieu Parish.

Truck Accidents

18-wheeler accidents involve federal FMCSA regulations, black box data, and corporate defendants with aggressive insurers. Jacob builds truck accident cases that hold carriers accountable under federal and Louisiana law.

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Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle riders face disproportionate injuries and comparative fault bias from insurers. Jacob understands Louisiana’s helmet law context and fights for fair compensation for injured riders.

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Serious & Catastrophic Injuries

Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries — from concussion to severe TBI — require expert medical documentation and aggressive damages calculation. Jacob handles TBI cases with the long-term care costs and life impact they demand.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries often result in permanent disability and lifetime care costs that dwarf initial medical expenses. Jacob builds spinal cord cases with life-care planning experts to capture the full scope of damages.

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Wrongful Death

Louisiana’s wrongful death and survival action framework under La. C.C. Art. 2315.2 allows surviving family members to recover for their loss. Jacob handles wrongful death claims with the care these cases demand.

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Southwest Louisiana Specialty Cases

High Local Value

Maritime Accidents & Jones Act

The Calcasieu Ship Channel, Port of Lake Charles, and offshore oil and gas operations make maritime injury one of the highest-value practice areas in Southwest Louisiana. Jacob handles Jones Act seaman claims, LHWCA longshore claims, and unseaworthiness actions — cases that require specialized federal maritime law knowledge.

Workplace & Industrial Accidents

The petrochemical corridor — Westlake Chemical, Sasol, Citgo, Cameron LNG — makes industrial workplace injuries a significant part of Southwest Louisiana’s personal injury landscape. Jacob distinguishes workers’ compensation claims from third-party tort claims to maximize recovery for injured workers.

Insurance Disputes & Bad Faith

Louisiana’s bad faith insurance statute under La. R.S. 22:1973 imposes penalties on insurers who arbitrarily deny or delay legitimate claims. In a market shaped by post-hurricane insurance disputes, Jacob fights lowball offers and bad faith denials.

What happens after a serious injury in Louisiana

Free Consultation

Jacob reviews your case at no charge. If he takes it, you pay nothing unless he recovers compensation for you. No upfront costs, no hourly fees.

Investigation & Evidence

Jacob gathers police reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert opinions to build the strongest possible case before the insurance company can destroy or downplay evidence.

Demand & Negotiation

Once your medical treatment is complete or your condition stabilizes, Jacob submits a detailed demand to the insurance carrier and negotiates aggressively for full and fair compensation.

Trial If Necessary

If the insurer refuses to pay fairly, Jacob takes your case to trial. Insurers know he is willing to try cases — which produces better settlement outcomes even before trial begins.

Recognition Best of 2026 Business Rate Colonna Law

Why Choose Jacob Colonna

A personal injury attorney who tries cases

Insurance companies settle for more when they know your attorney is willing to go to trial. Jacob has 17 years of courtroom experience in Lake Charles — and insurers know it.

Local Industry Knowledge

Lake Charles sits at the center of petrochemical production, offshore energy, and maritime commerce in the region. Jacob understands the specific federal regulations, industry standards, and liability frameworks that govern these industries — knowledge that directly affects your recovery.

Trial-Ready Representation

Many personal injury attorneys settle every case without ever going to trial. Jacob prepares every case for trial from day one. Insurers who know he is willing to try cases make better settlement offers — which means better outcomes for clients who never set foot in a courtroom.

Contingency Fee — No Upfront Cost

You pay no attorney fees unless Jacob recovers compensation for you. This means you have access to experienced trial representation regardless of your financial situation at the time of your injury. There is no risk in calling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Personal injury questions Lake Charles clients ask most

These are the questions Jacob hears most often from injury victims in Southwest Louisiana. Call (337) 656-3212 for a free 30-minute consultation if your question isn’t here.

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Louisiana?

Louisiana has a two-year prescriptive period for most personal injury claims under La. C.C. Art. 3493.1. This means you generally have two years from the date of injury to file suit. However, some claims still have a one-year period. Missing this deadline typically bars your claim entirely. If you have been injured, contact an attorney as soon as possible — do not wait or you risk losing your claim entirely!

What if I was partially at fault for my accident?

Louisiana is a pure comparative fault state under La. C.C. Art. 2323. Even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover damages — your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you can still recover $80,000. Insurance companies often exaggerate your fault percentage to reduce their payout. Jacob anticipates and counters these arguments.

What damages can I recover in a Louisiana personal injury case?

Louisiana allows recovery for past and future medical expenses, lost wages and lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and property damage. In cases involving egregious conduct, punitive damages may be available in limited circumstances. Jacob evaluates the full scope of your damages from the first consultation.

Do I need an attorney for a personal injury claim in Louisiana?

You are not required to have an attorney, but studies consistently show that represented injury victims recover significantly more than unrepresented claimants, even after attorney fees. Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators working for the insurer — not for you. Jacob offers a free consultation so you can understand your options before deciding.

Should I accept the insurance company's first offer?

Almost never. First offers from insurance adjusters typically do not account for future medical expenses, long-term lost earning capacity, or the full value of your pain and suffering. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you generally cannot seek additional compensation. Jacob reviews any offer before you respond to ensure you understand its full value relative to your claim.

How long does a personal injury case take in Louisiana?

Straightforward cases that settle before litigation may resolve in a few months. Cases involving serious injuries, disputed liability, or multiple defendants can take one to three years or longer. Jacob explains the likely timeline for your specific case at the initial consultation and keeps you informed throughout.

Jacob Colonna is a personal injury attorney in Lake Charles, Louisiana with 17 years of trial experience. He represents injury victims in car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, maritime injuries and Jones Act claims, workplace and industrial accidents, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, wrongful death, and insurance disputes throughout Lake Charles and Calcasieu Parish. No fee unless we win. Call (337) 656-3212 for a free 30-minute consultation.

Related Resources

Guides & local legal resources

The Calcasieu Parish Courthouse — What Injury Plaintiffs Need to Know

Filing deadlines, the 14th JDC civil division, and what to expect if your personal injury case goes to trial in Lake Charles.

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What to Do After a Car Accident in Lake Charles

The steps to take at the scene, how to preserve evidence, and when to contact an attorney after a motor vehicle accident in Calcasieu Parish.