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. What if I have two addresses where I have my mail sent?

12 August 2021

A: An Idaho attorney could advise best, but your post remains open for two weeks. It's usually not a problem in most settings. You included personal injury as a category. If that means the question is related to personal injury litigation, you could specify which address is to be used for process of service on your papers, as well as a mailing address for all correspondence. This way, if you're waiting for a response to a pleading or memo, it isn't sitting unanswered in the wrong mailbox. Good luck Tim Akpinar

Q. Hello, my son was involved in a injury case in California and was awarded a settlement from the defendant.

12 August 2021

A: I'm sorry your son was involved in an accident - I wish him a healthy recovery from his injuries. In terms of statutory requirements, if there are any under California law, you could repost your question under California. I could say this for most jurisdictions nationwide, as a general matter - if there were any medical liens (particularly if they involved public health insurance entities), that could cause delays in the order of months. That's when medical providers or insurance companies assert a claim(s) against the proceeds of a personal injury award. For more meaningful insight, only the attorney handling the case would know. Good luck Tim Akpinar

Q. I was passing a vehicle in the left lane bobtail semi truck .4th of July 12:30 at night stayed a little to long in lane

12 August 2021

A: A Georgia attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. There's no point losing further time reposting under Traffic Tickets. You could reach out to traffic ticket defense attorneys in the Atlanta area if you haven't already done so. See the tab above - Find-a-Lawyer. You could also search for attorneys independently on your own. Many traffic ticket defense attorneys offer free initial consults before giving a price for a court appearance - that's between you and them. Based on what you learn in terms of the cost of defending the ticket vs. its impact on your driving record and other factors, you could make the best decision. Good luck Tim Akpinar

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