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.

• 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. How can I protect my privacy and reputation from false charges being spread by an ex-friend?

August 21, 2025

A: I'm sorry this is happening to you. A defamation attorney could review your situation in detail and outline options, whether waiting and seeing, letter, legal action, etc. The problem with injury to character through defamation is that unlike physical injury cases, they are not automatically handled on a contingency basis. That could mean paying an attorney hourly fees on a matter that could involve extensive research, win or lose, and where the outcome is not necessarily predictable, as with a clear-cut physical injury case. Good luck

Q. Can we sue an e-bike rider for causing severe TBI to my sister in NYC?

August 21, 2025

A: I'm very sorry about your sister's accident. Yes, she clearly has legal rights here in terms of her injuries and medical expenses. The question in these situations often becomes one of insurance coverage. That could depend on additional details, and would be something to discuss with attorneys. It looks like you've already been reaching out to law firms - and I'm sorry your efforts were met with frustration. You could continue reaching out - law firms that handle such cases typically offer free initial consults. I hope your sister is okay. Good luck

Q. Starting a lawsuit for broken screw post-surgery

August 20, 2025

A: I'm sorry for your ordeal. What steps can you take? You could reach out to Texas attorneys to try to set up a free initial consult. However, this looks like it has some challenges. As my colleague correctly points out, there could be statute of limitations issues, since it was not a latent defect that you just learned about under any type of "discovery" doctrines. It appears that you were aware of the screw breakage in December 2016. Don't feel bad - even without the statute of limitations issues, the situation here looks like it could set the stage for a protracted debate about what caused the failure of the screw - whether it was a metallurgical defect, improper installation, improper material selection, or excessive force during physical therapy. That uncertainty could scare law firms off from considering the case. Experienced attorneys could be apprehensive about the uncertainty of convincing jurors that one root cause would have been the culprit, to the exclusion of others. It's a good case for the defense - they would be thrilled with the possibilities. I hope you're okay. Good luck ... Read More