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, Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, and other laws. He has owned several vessels over the years and 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. Tim fights hard for the legal rights of clients who have sustained injury or other damages. Tim’s work 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, for which he wrote "Defeating Limitation of Liability in Maritime Law." This concept arises in litigation involving commercial and recreational vessels.

Tim worked as an environmental engineer for an 826 MW generating station where he was responsible for regulatory compliance, remediation, and oil spill response. He trained NYC firefighters about first responder power 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. For a free consultation, contact Tim at (718) 224-9824 or timakpinarlawoffice@verizon.net

• Maritime Law
• Personal Injury
• Medical Malpractice
• Products Liability
• Arbitration & Mediation
• Appeals & Appellate
• Environmental Law
• Construction Law
• Insurance Claims

• 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. Do electronic applications/contracts require an electronic signature by the applicant or will a checkbox do?

18 November 2019

A: As a general matter, without regard to any state-specific laws, either would serve as an acceptance or agreement. A signature is stronger. Good luck Tim Akpinar

Q. Can someone from Malta file a police report/law suit against someone in the USA?

18 November 2019

A: The police are not likely to involve themselves in a matter of this scope and nature. It is a civil matter involving contract issues. That does not mean he is precluded from pursuing civil remedies. Good luck Tim Akpinar

Q. Can my insurance company refuse to give me living expenses before they interrogate me ?

17 November 2019

A: It looks like something in the investigation of your claim triggered suspicion on the part of your insurance carrier. It would be difficult for an attorney to make a meaningful assessment without investigating the loss and the carrier's handling of the claim in detail. It could be worthwhile to contact an Illinois attorney to review the affidavit, scope of the upcoming interrogation, and other elements of the carrier's file in detail. It's likely that an attorney would recommend their accompanying you to the interrogation. I hope the claim is ultimately resolved and your life is returned to normalcy after the stress of the burglary. Good luck Tim Akpinar

Q. Can I adjourn my first hearing over the phone victoria

17 November 2019

A: I can't speak for criminal court procedures, but your question bridges two categories, civil and criminal. For civil matters, depending on the jurisdiction, some clerks and case managers grant adjournments over the phone. I've been granted adjournments over the phone. Some courts will not; they will require appearance at the scheduled time to adjourn. Good luck Tim Akpinar

Q. Is there anything that can stop construction of something on neighboring property that will lower my property value?

17 November 2019

A: Not if the structure will be in compliance with zoning and other laws, and the project is run in compliance with OSHA, environmental, labor, fire & safety, and other codes. Your question remained open for three weeks. Those are some general considerations. You could consult with an Indiana attorney for more state-specific input. Good luck Tim Akpinar

Q. Where can I find a lawyer that can assist me with writing a brie? I would like to know If I am able to sue?

17 November 2019

A: Your question would best be handled by a family law practitioner in Maryland, but if you need a brief by December 2nd, time is of the essence. If you are seeking a brief writer, you could search online for legal brief writers. This is a very narrow area - there are attorneys who hold themselves out for per diem or per project writing assignments. However, most of these are general legal writers who hire themselves out for motions, briefs, legal memoranda, etc. You would have to ask them if they have experience in the court your are dealing with. Another choice you have is to approach family law practitioners and ask them if they would be interested in discussing terms with you to write your brief. With that second option, you would have a better chance of working with someone who has specific insight into your subject matter instead of a general purpose legal writer. You stated that you are not looking for representation, but maybe you should consider contacting family law practitioners and at least having an initial consult to find out what they recommend. Good luck Tim Akpinar

Q. Is this a strong case against my employer?

16 November 2019

A: You really need to speak with an Illinois employment attorney, and since your post remains open for two weeks, it might be best for your to start efforts to contact them on your own, either through this site or through your own independent searches. You included Personal Injury as a category, but it isn't clear if you should contact a Workers' Comp attorney instead of a personal injury attorney. It sounds like the injury took place in the course of employment - if that's the case, contact a workers' comp attorney to learn what steps you need to take to preserve your rights in a workers' comp claim. If I did not understand the facts of your description correctly and your injury did NOT materialize during the course of employment, and it is just a straight personal injury case, I believe it would be a very weak personal injury case that most attorneys would not be interested in handling. You could check with a personal injury attorneys in your area to ask if they feel differently. At any rate, contact an employment attorney and workers' comp attorney on your own at this point. You should be able to find ones that offer free initial consultations. Good luck Tim Akpinar

Q. Can my insurance company have false payments for my medical coverage on an accident claim and me still owe for the real?

16 November 2019

A: A Georgia attorney could advise you best, but your question remains open for two weeks. As a general matter, reputable insurance companies do not issue false payments. They'll pay what they determine they owe if they concede liability, and if they don't concede, they'll deny the claim and won't pay. They don't need to play games with the genuineness of any payments they make. They're not afraid to fight it out with you, so there's no need for them to issue false payments. Based on your lost time from work and injuries, you may want to contact a Georgia attorney to discuss what needs to be done on your case at this point and/or in the future. If you retain another attorney, you should make them aware of the fact that an attorney who was discharged did previous work on the case, so that they are on notice of a possible lien from the outgoing attorney. Good luck Tim Akpinar

Q. Dispute with a auto Mechanic. Paid $850. Drove home next morning the car would not start

16 November 2019

A: An attorney who practices in Oregon could best advise on your options here, whether arbitration (as you list), small claims, or other. But your question remains open for two weeks. It isn't fully clear if you mean the mechanic has been showing up at your place for the past two weeks (which the court would regard as a measure of good faith on his part), or you mean that he's supposed to be showing up, but is failing to. In terms of the repair, the law does not impose an absolute duty to diagnose and repair the problem flawlessly in the first attempt. Some cars or some mechanical problems could take repeated efforts to diagnose and repair; that's a given in the eyes of an arbitrator. It could be a personal call on your part, but if investing in a flatbed transport on your dime to get your car over to the shop could be a step toward resolution, that could be cheaper than spending money in legal fees. If you are not able to come to an agreement, then you could consult an Oregon attorney about arbitration or other forum. Good luck Tim Akpinar