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. Do lawyers tend to ignore, disregard, or shy away from discrimination cases?

January 19, 2025

A: It might not be so much a matter of ignoring or disregarding such cases. Law firms consider various factors in accepting or declining cases. Clients who present such cases sometimes hope for contingency representation, and that could be a risky prospect with some cases, in terms of what stands to be gained with a favorable outcome, the difficulty or ease of proving damages, and a law firm's confidence in attaining a favorable outcome. Good luck

Q. is it discriminatory for a business to refuse service on the basis of pregnancy?

January 18, 2025

A: A Tennessee attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. Yes, you could raise the argument that it is discriminatory. They could raise the argument that they have the right to invoke policies that protect themselves from members who file injury claims on the grounds that they were not warned about the dangers of gym activity during pregnancy. You could consult with Tennessee attorneys who handle civil rights/discrimination/disability-related cases. Keep in mind that this does not appear to be something that law firms would handle on a contingency basis - which could mean paying an attorney hourly. But other attorneys could see things differently. You could reach out to attorneys to discuss further - that would be the most reliable way to answer your question. Good luck ... Read More

Q. Good Evening; I ran over a street light pole at night that was in traffic lanes, and my vehicle was damaged.

January 18, 2025

A: A Colorado attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. The police officer was correct - you could have rights there for compensation. You ask if this would be a "shut-closed" case. That depends on the stance taken by the applicable public agencies. In response to your other question, "No, pain and suffering is not a component of PD claims." Based on the facts, there didn't appear to be injuries. I hope there were none, but pain and suffering is a component of damages associated with bodily injury cases. That's my individual take on the way cases are handled nationwide - a Colorado attorney could offer you more definitive and state-specific guidance. I hope you're okay. Good luck ... Read More