Tim Akpinar
A dedicated attorney who fights hard for the rights of injury victims
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.
- 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/Mediation, Consumer - Arbitration/Mediation, Family - Arbitration/Mediation
- 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
- New York
- St. John's University School of Law
- J.D.
- 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
- - Current
- Gulf Coast Mariners
- Member
- Activities: An Advocacy group for commercial mariners working on the nation's inland and coastal waterways
- Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
- Member
- 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
- Website
- General Personal Injury & Maritime Law Litigation and Arbitration
- Q. I have a personal injury lawsuit in. I asked my attorney for a $500 front money on my case to pay some bills.
- A: As my colleagues correctly point out, attorneys can't front money on cases in general. But in looking at the nature of your expense, it is for medical services, rather than general expenses. You wouldn't be asking this question if there was insurance in some form to cover the services. If that's the case, some medical offices offer treatment under a lien, which is an agreement to pay back the doctor from the proceeds of the case. Some offices work with them, some don't. That could be an option. However, don't enter medical lien agreements without having your attorney review the paperwork. Good luck
- Q. Someone made a therapy appointment for me without my knowledge or consent to a company I have not used in 3 years
- A: Yes, it's possible you could sue, or at least accomplish a cease and desist to the conduct. First try to learn what the situation is, whether it is on the part of the medical office or someone harassing you. In the meantime, until you are able to determine the source, monitor your monthly financial statements and insurance correspondence carefully to be certain that no one is rubber-stamping services on your behalf. Also, if the office has a policy of charging for missed appointments, let them know that you are not making any appointments at this time. Good luck
- Q. How can I handle this miscommunication or confusion with my insurance and then being extra charged because of that?
- A: A North Carolina attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. You should be able to remedy this without attorneys. Keep trying to reach them on the phone. It looks like this mix-up resulted limitations in clear communication because of the chat session. Over the phone, you could hopefully have a clearer and more thorough dialogue. I can't say why you were charged extra - that's something to discuss with the carrier. There are a number of variables you could discuss that lower or raise premiums, based on a driver's needs. These include deductibles, policy limits, coverage options, and more. With that accident, look into whether your original policy ... Read More