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. Do I have to sign an arbitration agreement after job change in Florida?

May 27, 2025

A: A Florida employment attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for almost two weeks, and you mention a deadline. My experience with arbitration agreements is limited to injury claims, but from my experience there, I can say that they are enforceable (in terms of precluding litigation remedies in court, with or without a jury in injury claims) and they are generally "take it or leave it." If you still have time before your deadline and you are averse to signing the agreement, you could (1) await additional responses here, or (2.) you could reach out to Florida employment attorneys for a quick paid consult. Since most law firms in ANY situation involving ANY agreement would often want to see the agreement before advising meaningfully on its validity, the more definitive and certain option for guidance could be option (2) - reaching out to Florida employment attorneys. Good luck ... Read More

Q. Can I sue my employer for a fall at work causing ongoing pain?

May 26, 2025

A: A Kentucky attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. I'm sorry about your accident and your worsening injuries. For injuries in the course of employment, the process is not generally suing the employer in a personal injury case (one of your chosen categories), but instead going through a workers' comp claim. You could reach out to Kentucky W.C. attorneys at the soonest to discuss your matter - free initial consults are the norm nationwide. It would be best for a Kentucky attorney to advise on applicable deadlines. I hope you are okay. Good luck

Q. Need defense for dog and personal injury lawsuit in my home.

May 25, 2025

A: A Colorado attorney could advise best, but you posted a week ago and it is important to respond to the summons in a timely manner. I'm sorry about your lawsuit. You may ultimately need to sit down with a Colorado attorney to review the paperwork you were served with. But as an immediate starting point, you could reach out to the insurance carrier with whom you had the homeowner policy at the time of the original injuries claimed in falling off the loveseat. If your insurance carrier paid her in this same claim in May 2023, it's very likely they would have wrapped things up with a release form that concluded the claim ("Here's money for your injuries - we're done here.") I don't want to get your hopes up if the lawsuit is for something independent - but explore that first with the insurance carrier. Good luck ... Read More