Tim Akpinar

Every year, millions of people take vacations on cruise ships. Most passengers on cruise ships will never have an accident or suffer an injury. However, in the event of an accident, a passenger’s legal rights with a cruise line will be governed by maritime law and other provisions that are unique to the industry.

Cruise lines may impose accelerated timetables for meeting the deadlines for providing notice of a claim or filing a legal action. These provisions often appear in the fine print on the back of a cruise ticket. In addition to governing the statutes of limitations, these conditions can determine jurisdictional issues as to where actions may be brought.

Maritime attorney and former shipboard officer Tim Akpinar briefly covers some of the legal issues that arise with cruise ships in this short video. Tim’s experience in shipboard operations give him strong insight into examining accidents that take place on cruise ships.

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▪ timakpinarlawoffice@verizon.net
▪ (718) 224-9824

Boating accidents can open the door to the same maritime law concepts that apply to large commercial vessels. Experienced maritime attorney Tim Akpinar talks about the causes of boating accidents and some of the legal issues that can confront claimants who are injured on the water.

Although a Pearson 30 sailboat on an inland waterway could appear to have little in common with a 900-foot ocean-going tanker on the high seas, they are both vessels when it comes to admiralty jurisdiction, and are both subject to the same legal provisions applied by federal courts. This includes concepts such as limitation of liability, maritime salvage, and certain legal presumptions that become relevant in cases involving issues with running lights, PFDs, and other equipment.

In addition to being a former shipboard officer, Tim has owned several boats throughout the years. His background in marine engineering and naval architecture give him strong insight into examining the issues that often arise in the cross examination of expert witnesses in boating accident litigation.

▪ www.mycounsel.us
▪ timakpinarlawoffice@verizon.net
▪ (718) 224-9824

The Jones Act is a federal maritime law that governs the legal rights of commercial mariners injured in the course of their employment. Experienced maritime attorney and former engine room officer Tim Akpinar covers some of the important elements of the Jones Act that apply to maritime employees who suffer injuries or illness as a result of an accident at sea or other shipboard condition arising from negligence or unseaworthiness. Legal remedies include pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical expenses, those last two elements also known as maintenance and cure.

Tim also addresses how the Jones Act differs from state and federal workers’ compensation laws. Because the Jones Act applies to vessel crew members, it differs from the Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, which generally applies to stevedores, shipyard workers, and maritime workers who do not work in the service of a vessel.
▪ www.mycounsel.us
▪ timakpinarlawoffice@verizon.net
▪ (718) 224-9824

Commercial fishermen are exposed to some of the greatest occupational hazards in the world. Experienced maritime attorney and former engine room officer Tim Akpinar talks about the legal rights of commercial fishermen under the Jones Act. If commercial fishermen sustain an injury or illness as a result of an accident or other condition, they are entitled to certain benefits under this federal maritime law.

Every fishery has an inherent element of risk, with some regions being worse than others. Regardless of whether commercial fishermen work in New England, the Pacific Northwest, the Gulf of Mexico, or Bering Sea, they all deal with significant workplace hazards. These include wet and slippery decks, swinging tackle, heavy and wet lines, exposed hydraulic machinery, long work days, and irregular watch schedules… whether facing a tropical sun or arctic winds.

Tim gives a brief primer on the Jones Act and the benefits it covers for commercial fishermen injured in the course of employment. This includes money damages for pain and suffering, as well as maintenance and cure, which are intended to cover living expenses and medical expenses while someone is disabled from their injuries or illness and is unable to work.

The Jones Act applies to vessel crew members and differs from the Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, which generally applies to shoreside workers who do not have a connection with a vessel in navigation.

▪ www.mycounsel.us
▪ timakpinarlawoffice@verizon.net
▪ (718) 224-9824