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.

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. We'll have a pretty serious case that I have taken through small claims and now needs to go up to the Court of Appeal

21 January 2022

A: Only a Kansas attorney could advise you here, but your question remains open for two weeks. Please keep in mind that appeals of any type in any jurisdiction are generally governed by narrow windows of time to take action. If you are contemplating an appeal, you could consider reaching out to Kansas attorneys to discuss - that could at least help you identify how much time you have to act, and what steps you must take to preserve your legal rights. You could search for attorneys on your own or use the tab above (Find a Lawyer). Good luck

Q. If I give an employee explicit permission to use my personal vehicle does that imply anyone else permission to use auto?

21 January 2022

A: The simple answer is that express permission to one person would often mean they are the person permitted to use the vehicle. But depending on the relationship, level of friendliness, stating something to the effect that use of vehicle is for company purposes (or personal use as well), mentioning (or not mentioning) other restrictions on the use of the vehicle, it could also be a situation that could give rise to the two people interpreting things differently. Good luck

Q. Can I sue a doctor/hospital?

21 January 2022

A: A South Carolina attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. I hope your mother is okay. An attorney would need to know more details to offer you meaningful guidance. You could reach out to law firms to discuss. If they felt there could be grounds for a case based on the level of care provided and damages suffered by your mother, they could request her records and review with a medical professional. Many firms that handle med mal cases offer free initial consults. You could search firms on your own or you could use the tab above (Find-a-Lawyer) to see listings of South Carolina med mal law firms by region. Good luck

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