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. He worked for BARBRI in preparing bar exam candidates, and on a limited independent 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 transformers, high-pressure steam, hydrogen-cooled generators, and bulk chemical storage. He worked as a shift supervisor at a 425 MW station, responsible for steam turbines and baseload generators.

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. How to legally lend my car until the end of the year with contract terms for safety and accountability?

July 18, 2025

A: A Missouri attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. These can be difficult settings. You could probably cover your bases for the return of the car (and its maintenance) in an agreement, whether you have an attorney draft one up for you or go the do-it-yourself route. But the insurance aspect is not as straightforward. You're the policyholder, and that is inescapable. If something happens, and I hope it wouldn't, you can't really control what another driver or pedestrian might choose to do. I recommend you discuss this with a Missouri attorney in detail. Good luck

Q. I was rear-ended at a red light; insurance offers $750 for pain and med bills. Should I accept?

July 17, 2025

A: I'm sorry about your accident and your injuries. Although it could be difficult for any attorney here to evaluate the value of a case they do not have all details about, I'll go out on a limb here and say that offer strikes me as low. A meaningful valuation of the case would involve going through your medical records and other details. If you choose to handle the matter yourself, good for you and good luck. If you want to discuss with an attorney, you could arrange a free initial consult with no obligation - that's a normal courtesy in the legal field for such cases. I hope you're okay. Good luck

Q. Tripped and fell at a casino; waiting 4 months for response. What next?

July 17, 2025

A: I'm sorry about your fall and your injuries. You mention not having yet contacted an attorney. In terms of your next steps, the short answer is that it would probably be valuable to you to consider reaching out to attorneys. Most injury law firms offer free initial consults without obligation. Additionally, most law firms handle injury cases on contingency (attorney fee is percentage of recovery, often in the neighborhood of one-third - but that is something you must check with individual firms). In such arrangements, the risk of laying out litigation and investigative expenses is usually on the firm, whether the case ends in a money award or not. I hope you're okay. Good luck