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. Would a board member of the economic development corporation be allowed to request a forensic audit.

November 26, 2024

A: A Texas attorney who works day-to-day in municipal law matters could advise best, but your question remains open for a month. As a GENERAL matter, without knowing the details of the situation, it would depend on the rules/by-laws, reason for the request, relevancy of the request to some issue, justification for the request in terms of expense, intrusion, or inconvenience. Attorneys who practice in this area could probably offer additional insights. Good luck

Q. What about mental stress, emotional stress, abuse of the elderly, trapped inside my home due to flooding of St drainages

November 25, 2024

A: A Louisiana attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. I'm sorry for your ordeal. What you describe sounds like it would be a difficult case, not to diminish what you must have gone through. But many municipalities enjoy certain immunities from such settings, as a matter of public policy. But this is only a general observation on my part - the best way to get definitive evaluation of your matter would be to try to arrange a free initial consult with a local attorney. Every setting is fact-specific, and different attorneys could see things differently, especially local attorneys who could have more insight into such settings if they occur regularly. You could also bring the matter to the attention of local officials, to look into stormwater overflow infrastructure to lessen the possibility of future occurrences. Good luck ... Read More

Q. Do I have any chance with a case? Feb 14th 23' I was dropped on my R artificial knee. Broke my femur & both ankles.

November 25, 2024

A: An Idaho attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. I'm sorry about your ordeal. From your post, it looks like this happened in February 2023. I do not practice in Idaho but based a quick check of online information available to the general public, it looks like the statutes of limitations in your state for personal injury or med mal are two years. Again, this is something that an Idaho attorney should advise on, as each state's statutes of limitations may sometimes have nuances, subject to applicable legal doctrines. If you are contemplating pursuing the matter and want to learn what your rights and options may be here, I recommend you consider reaching out to Idaho attorneys without further delay to try to arrange a free initial consult. Good luck ... Read More