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. Are there legal issues for false tombstone inscriptions in New York?

June 23, 2025

A: Out of deference and sympathy to the deceased, I don't think anyone would object, unless an inscription was made for nefarious purposes with the intent of defrauding, misleading, deceiving, a person, creditors, an organization, or authorities. Many inscriptions have tongue in cheek messages, and the messages are understood to be humorous or a final touching reference to something meaningful in the life of the person. A title like "Mayor" is often understood not to be taken at face value among friends. I'm not sure who would be an authority on this type of matter. I picked up your question because it was in the "Personal Injury" category. Vital Records gets involved in death certificates, but I doubt they care about memorial stone epitaphs. Cemetery management or inscription companies might know more than attorneys in this area through their experience with custom and usage and what is acceptable in the industry. In terms of legal areas of practice, attorneys who work with estates and wills probably come closest to these types of issues, but even they rarely get involved in such details. You could check with the cemetery as a starting point. Good luck ... Read More

Q. Do I need to provide insurance info after a no-damage accident?

June 23, 2025

A: A Georgia attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week, and you need to make a decision and take action. I'm sorry about your accident. In most places, exchange of basic identification and insurance information is required and standard procedure for matters involving injury. A local attorney could advise best on the state-specific thresholds of property damage/bodily injury that require information to be exchanged, but in the meantime, you should consider placing your insurance carrier on notice of the accident by calling them and telling them about the possibility of a bodily injury claim. My guess is that your carrier will tell you to provide your insurance information to the other side. Yes, the other side can still make a case against you, but your insurance carrier's duty is to defend you against such a case. Your duty is to cooperate with your carrier in their investigation of the claim and preparing any defense. I hope that you and others involved in the accident are okay. Good luck ... Read More

Q. Should I get an attorney after causing a car accident with injuries in Adams County, CO?

June 21, 2025

A: You should look into an attorney for defense of the traffic court case, as my colleague correctly states. As for the claim initiated by the other vehicle, turn everything that you receive over to your insurance carrier (after making copies for your own records). Your own carrier should handle your defense in this accident and make arrangements for any attorneys needed in that regard. You should not need to hire your own attorney just yet. The third vehicle could also pursue a claim against you. Follow the same procedure. Turn things over to your insurance carrier. It's likely that eventually your carrier will advise you that you have the right to consult with an attorney of your own (that's something you could look into if necessary, once more information about the accident materializes, in terms of injuries, your coverage, your assets, and other details). I hope you and others involved in the accident are okay. Good luck ... Read More