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. How can I sue the court

23 September 2019

A: Additional information is needed. Due process is a broad area and the manner in which your rights are being violated is not clear from the facts at hand. Tim Akpinar

Q. Can I get in trouble for starting a company that is similar to the one I currently work for?

22 September 2019

A: It's possible they could sue if you signed a non-compete agreement. More than Internet law, this looks like something closer to employment law. You'd get the most meaningful input from an employment attorney as how not to not afoul of any legal problems if you go out on your own. Good luck Tim Akpinar

Q. Hello, I purchased a pack of cookies from Braum's. I began to eat one and it appeared to be a piece of glass in it.

22 September 2019

A: What you should do would depend on whether you sustained any injuries. I hope you did not. But if you did, it's possible you could have the grounds for a claim. If you were injured, you should speak with an Oklahoma attorney and preserve the cookie(s) containing glass and remainder of the package. Save records of ER admission and any follow up medical care. Attorneys who handle such cases generally provide free initial consultations. Hopefully, you are okay. If that's the case, contact the manufacturer and the store where you bought the cookies and tell them what happened. Without investigation, it would be difficult to say whether the glass is the result of tampering, poor quality control, or other cause. But your prompt action there could prevent others from possible injury. Good luck Tim Akpinar

Q. If a Female attorney is unwilling to defend, do I not have a right to separate her from overburden.

22 September 2019

A: An Arkansas attorney would be in the best position to answer, if there are state-specific laws involved. But your question remains open for a week. As a general matter in any jurisdiction, you are free to separate from your attorney. At the same time, your attorney could be entitled to compensation for services rendered and out-of-pocket disbursements made. In personal injury cases (which is one of the categories you include), the incoming and outgoing attorneys would generally discuss the efforts made to date and try to reach an equitable solution in determining respective attorney fees to compensate the original attorney for their time. Good luck Tim Akpinar

Q. Is a photo of a contract valid if you do not have the original document?

22 September 2019

A: A Texas attorney could advise best as to state-specific aspects of contract law, but your question remains open for two weeks. In such settings in general, it could depend on who wants to enforce the contract and who wants to get out of it. As a general matter, copies of contracts have been used to demonstrate the existence of an agreement between parties. Good luck Tim Akpinar

Q. purchased a vehicle and the dealership only took $1,000 down payment but now they’re trying to make me give a $1,000.

21 September 2019

A: A Maryland attorney would know this best, but your question remains open for three weeks. As a general matter, without regard to jurisdiction, making payments would be governed by the underlying sales contract (or financing agreement, depending on how the car was purchased). Check the contract and accompanying paperwork to see what they say about the payment schedule. Good luck Tim Akpinar

Q. this is owned by my father and his company... this is being used illeagly

21 September 2019

A: You chose good categories, but what you describes sounds like trademark infringement. Try reposting in the Trademark (and maybe Intellectual Property) category(s). It would have a better chance of being seen by an attorney who is knowledgeable in this area. Good luck Tim Akpinar

Q. Can I file a suit for damages because of slander and deformation of character

21 September 2019

A: It's hard to say, because there isn't much information to go on here. But as a general consideration, think of this. Those types of lawsuits are not generally handled on a contingency. That means you'd pay an attorney hourly to prove damages that could be costly to establish, the other side could deny saying the things you allege, and in the end, the outcome could be uncertain. You might want to consult with an attorney about what it would cost to pursue your case and what the possible outcome might be. That might help you make your decision as to what you want to do. Good luck Tim Akpinar

Q. Can I sue for invasion of privacy

21 September 2019

A: One can understand your frustration over having someone poke around your phone without your permission. Yes, theoretically you could sue. But stop and think about the practical aspects of such a case. What would you be claiming as damages you suffered? Also, think about whether you'd like to pay an attorney hourly to push forward such a lawsuit. You could check with attorneys in your area, but my guess is that an attorney would not accept such a matter on a contingency basis like a car accident (where you pay nothing out of pocket unless you win). The choice is yours, but it could be most practical to let it go. Good luck Tim Akpinar