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.

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)

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

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

New Jersey

Since 1994

New York

Since 1994

• Free Consultation
• Contingent Fees

Q. Seek advice on insurance claim after children's accident using my vehicle with permissive use and regular use concerns.

April 9, 2025

A: I'm sorry about your child's accident. How to proceed? It could be worth considering a consult with an attorney to review the matter in detail. That's probably why the post remained open for a week. It isn't an easy question to answer directly in a meaningful manner on a Q & A forum that would be of use to you in an upcoming video meeting. An attorney would probably want to review the policy in detail, the protocols of the carrier, the details of the accident, and other information. It is not likely to be a free initial consult, because it is not an ordinary contingency-based matter involving an auto accident. But it could be worth considering the investment, due to the bodily injury aspect of the claim. I hope everyone involved is okay. Good luck ... Read More

Q. Can I claim my ex-husband's life insurance as the beneficiary?

April 8, 2025

A: A Wyoming attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. I'm sorry for the loss of your ex-husband. Each state could have its own laws for such scenarios. But the short general answer (subject to state law) is that divorce should not automatically remove a person as a beneficiary. The fact your late ex-husband contributed payments following separation also evidences a wish for the policy to cover you. It would be best to consider a consult with a Wyoming attorney who could advise more definitively, based on state law AND the specific provisions of the policy. Good luck

Q. Can I take legal action if I suspect someone is faking an injury claim after a car accident?

April 7, 2025

A: A North Carolina attorney could advise best, but you posted last week. Do you mean doing things like investigating on your own or confronting her with your suspicions? NO, you DO NOT want to do that. Leave things up to your insurance company. If she claims she suffered injuries, the best thing you could do would be to cooperate with your insurance carrier in providing them with information (or providing them with evidence, such as your photographs showing minimal damage). DO NOT take the matter into your own hands - your insurance carrier has expertise in investigating and verifying claims. Good luck