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. How can I be awarded monetary damages for my car accident in NH?

June 2, 2025

A: A New Hampshire attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. I'm sorry about your accident. The answer to your question could depend on your level of liability, or fault. When you say the other drivers are accusing you of "being involved" - if you mean they are accusing you of being "at fault," you could wait to see what the insurance carriers conclude. Whether or not you have a claim to pursue will depend on your ability to establish that it was not your fault (unless you plan to pursue through your own policy under your collision coverage, where the extent of your liability wouldn't be an issue). I hope you and everyone involved are okay. Good luck ... Read More

Q. Standard practice for estimating settlement in malpractice lawsuits during discovery?

June 2, 2025

A: An Arizona attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. The law firm handling your matter is really in the best position to advise about dollar figures - due to their knowing the most about the case and its progress. As a general commentary, without knowing anything about the details of your case, your legal team's caution about not advising about a dollar figure is something many law firms would agree with. You may have read that the dollar figure should be understood early on - but in a complex and contentious (this case sounds like it may be contentious), there can be a degree of uncertainty that makes speculation of dollar amounts difficult. It sounds like your case may not be at the point where opposing attorneys are talking figures. Good luck ... Read More

Q. Insurance denial for critical hospital stays due to high blood sugar over 1000.

June 1, 2025

A: A South Carolina attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. Check the fine print on the denial and what options it outlines, whether civil suit, arbitration, appeal, complaint, or other. If you are unable to resolve, even with additional supporting documentation for the medical necessity of the services you received, and the amount of the claim denied is significant, it could worth considering a consult with South Carolina attorneys to discuss further in terms of your most cost-effective options. I hope you are okay. Good luck