Tim Akpinar

Tim Akpinar represents commercial mariners, recreational boaters, cruise ship passengers, and other injury plaintiffs throughout the entire United States, including inland rivers. As a former shipboard officer, Tim understands the operation of commercial vessels and the legal rights of people who serve aboard them. Such rights can materialize under the Jones Act and other maritime laws. Tim handles maritime collision, maritime salvage, boating accidents, cruise ship accidents, and complex technical cases. He also handles general injury (motor vehicle) and medical malpractice cases.

Tim taught law at SUNY Maritime College and in the MBA program at Southern New Hampshire University. On a limited basis, he tutors recent law school graduates for the New York State Bar Exam. Tim fights hard for the legal rights of clients who have sustained injury. 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 was responsible for regulatory compliance and oil spill response. He trained NYC firefighters in first responder plant hazards that included 138,000 volt electrical equipment, high-pressure steam, bulk acid, caustic, and no. 6 heavy fuel oil storage. He worked as a shift supervisor at a 425 MW station, responsible for steam turbines, generators, boilers, diesels, 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 [email protected].

Maritime Law

Personal Injury

Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death

Medical Malpractice

Birth Injury, Medical Misdiagnosis, Pharmacy Errors, Surgical Errors

Products Liability

Drugs & Medical Devices, Motor Vehicle Defects, Toxic Torts

Arbitration & Mediation

Business Arbitration, Consumer Arbitration, Family Arbitration

Appeals & Appellate

Civil Appeals, Federal Appeals

Environmental Law

Construction Law

Construction Contracts, Construction Defects, Construction Liens, Construction Litigation

Insurance Claims

Bad Faith Insurance, Business Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Motor Vehicle Insurance, Property Insurance

• 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

USMSC

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

Reliability Engineering Training

Third Assistant Engineer - Steam & Motor Vessels - Unlimited Horsepower

USCG

Lifeboatman

USCG

Q. Court’s decision that I’m not at fault was not accepted as evidence by arbitrator. Is this legally erroneous?

12 June 2021

A: An Arizona attorney could advise best, but your post remains open for three weeks. At this point, you could reach out to an attorney to review. They're likely going to want to review both decisions to make any kind of meaningful determination. There's a tab above (Find-a-Lawyer), or you could search independently on your own. Due to COVID, many offices are offering virtual consults. Good luck Tim Akpinar

Q. Did I make a mistake of settling for $100,000 policy limit for a car accident that my medical bills were over 180,000

11 June 2021

A: A Tennessee attorney could advise best, but your post remains open for three weeks. If you signed the release and accepted the settlement, there's no point punishing yourself. You could ask your attorney if there are options with the lien - unfortunately, public agency health liens can sometimes be more inflexible than those reconciled with private carriers or private hospitals, and options could be limited. More details could enable a more meaningful assessment, but it is possible you made the best possible decision under the circumstances as well. Good luck Tim Akpinar

Q. Seeking attorney for physical child abuse that happened to myself as a child by elementary school administrators.

11 June 2021

A: I'm very sorry this happened to you. If you're seeking an attorney, it might be more productive to use the Find-a-Lawyer feature above. The Q & A format here is unlike an attorney referral service, where an attorney would come forth to offer services. The format here is instead geared toward basic answers legal questions. You could use the Find-a-Lawyer feature, and you could search independently on your own. Bar association referrals could also be a resource. Good luck Tim Akpinar

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