Tim Akpinar

Tim handles motor vehicle accidents, slip & fall accidents, medical malpractice, boating accidents, cruise ship accidents, and complex hull/machinery/cargo cases. Tim represents commercial mariners, recreational boaters, cruise ship passengers, and other injury plaintiffs. As a former shipboard officer, he understands the importance of the Jones Act and other maritime laws.

Tim taught law at SUNY Maritime College and in the MBA program at Southern New Hampshire University. On a limited basis, he tutors law school graduates for the New York State Bar Exam. He is referenced in Wikipedia - Seaman’s Manslaughter Statute. Tim was asked to cover the subject of limitation of liability for the American Trial Lawyers Association (Defeating Limitation of Liability in Maritime Law).

Tim worked as an environmental engineer for an 826 MW generating station where he trained NYC firefighters in first responder plant hazards that included 138,000-volt equipment, high-pressure steam, and bulk chemical storage. He worked as a shift supervisor at a 425 MW station, responsible for steam turbines and auxiliaries.

Tim covers maritime law topics for nationally published maritime and boating magazines, including WorkBoat, The Ensign (US Power Squadron), Offshore, Marine Officer, and LI Boating World. Tim can be reached at (718) 224-9824 or timakpinarlawoffice@verizon.net.

• Free Consultation
• Contingent Fees

New Jersey

Since 1994

New York

Since 1994

St. John's University School of Law

J.D.

1993

State University of New York - Maritime College at Ft. Schuyler

Bachelor of Engineering (1981) | Mechanical Engineering (Marine)

Maritime Law Association of the United States

Member

Current

New York State Bar  # 2621100

Member

1994 - Current

Gulf Coast Mariners

Member

2013

Activities: An Advocacy group for commercial mariners working on the nation's inland and coastal waterways

Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers

Member

2009

Defeating Limitation of Liability in Maritime Law

Trial Magazine - The Journal of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America

Legal Issues for Recreational Boaters, United States Power Squadron - Bayside Power Squadron

Tim spoke about admiralty jurisdiction over pleasure boats, boating accident legal issues, limitation of liability, salvage law, marine liens, and other legal issues related to recreational boating.

Maritime Law Issues for Commercial Mariners, Kingsborough Community College - Maritime Technology Program

Tim spoke about the legal responsibilities of officers and ship's crews, criminal liability, the Jones Act, limitation of liability, salvage law, recent developments in Coast Guard regulations with marine casualty reporting and alcohol testing, marine pollution, and other maritime law topics.

Recent Developments in Maritime Law, St. John's University School of Law

Admiralty Law Society

Tim spoke about salvage law, the law of finds, the Jones Act and legal issues affecting the rights of commercial fishermen.

U.S. Military Sealift Command Shipboard Firefighting School

US MSC

ALARA Training - As Low As Reasonably Achievable - Radiation Considerations in Nuclear Power Plant Design

Reliability Engineering Training

Third Assistant Engineer - Steam & Motor Vessels - Unlimited Horsepower

US Coast Guard

Lifeboatman

US Coast Guard

Q. How can I pursue legal action for undisclosed medical diagnoses?

April 11, 2025

A: A Missouri or Iowa attorney would be in a better position to answer, but your question remains open for four weeks. I'm sorry for your ordeal. I'm afraid that law firms might be reluctant to consider your matter. This is not meant to diminish what you've been through. But your timeline is very long - med mal statutes of limitations are usually in the order of several years - and you're going back to 2008 and 2013. There are legal doctrines that could in some cases overcome the challenge of a long timeline - depending on the civil procedure codes of the applicable jurisdiction. An attorney in the applicable jurisdiction would need to advise on those. This is only my quick assessment and individual opinion based on the brief post - other attorneys could see things differently, and possibly in a more favorable light. The short and direct answer to your question would be to try to line up a legal consult to discuss the matter in further detail. Med mal firms typically offer free initial consults without obligation if they express interest in a matter. Good luck ... Read More

Q. Can we join a hidden lawsuit by sibling over mother's talc-related cancer?

April 11, 2025

A: I'm very sorry for the loss of your mother. The lawsuit wasn't really "secret" - it seems it might have been done without letting you know. Lawsuits are often part of public records, unless a court has ordered non-publication, or they're sealed. Otherwise, they can usually be looked up in online databases. That's not important at this point - for now, one measure to take is to let the attorney handling your family's estate know of this development. Good luck

Q. How to claim grandmother's life insurance as grandchildren in Nevada?

April 10, 2025

A: A Nevada attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. I'm sorry about the loss of your grandmother. It sounds like your grandmother took out a policy with Mutual of Omaha. If you're getting nowhere, one option, before spending money on attorneys, could be to ask the Nevada Division of Insurance if they might be able to provide guidance. At the same time, you and your family members may want to consider consulting with attorneys who practice in the area of estates to address the other issues raised in your post (uncertainty of will, trust, etc.). Good luck