Lawyers, Answer Questions  & Get Points Log In
Questions Answered by Tim Akpinar
1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law for Kentucky on
Q: i have been in the hospital and they have talked about me. spreading gossip around being verbally abusive.

i need to know what this violates & what actions should i take.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 21, 2023

A Kentucky attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for four weeks. If the talk involved confidential medical information, it's possible it could involve HIPAA laws, which govern the privacy of personal medical information. If it's only "gossip" type talk... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation on
Q: Can a disciplinary hearing be considered "a formal legal proceeding"?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 21, 2023

People sometimes use such terms loosely. Formal legal proceedings are usually understood to mean a process that takes place in a court system or ADR forum, with formal notice to the parties, and where applicable, in compliance with rules of civil procedure and evidence. A disciplinary hearing might... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for Colorado on
Q: Got pulled over driving my brothers car without registration or insurance here in Colorado which is a misdemeanor.

I have my own car insurance Can I use my insurance policy for proof of insurance. It states that my insurance will transfer to” none owned autos”

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 17, 2023

A Colorado attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. The general rule in most places is that insurance follows the vehicle. It isn't fully clear what that provision that you cited means. The word "none" there doesn't seem to help. But it would... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith and Bankruptcy for Kansas on
Q: My insurance company filed bankruptcy and left me with a $22,000 bill. The Receivership denied my claim

Because the hospital failed to provide information in a timely manner. What should I do?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 16, 2023

A Kansas attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for four weeks. You may need to consult with a local attorney on this, but you could first reach out to the Kansas Department of Insurance to see if they could offer guidance. Departments of insurance nationwide monitor and oversee... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Products Liability and Business Law for Michigan on
Q: Videographer creating ads for another company's safety product?

I am a videographer and run my own videography company. If I promote a safety product (film ads and take photos) for another company's product to be released on their social media, and that safety product ends up not being what is stated unbeknownst to me and it ends up failing and hurting... Read more »

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 14, 2023

A Michigan attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. In a setting like this, there are no guarantees as to who a potential plaintiff would name in a lawsuit. If someone is merely inserting a script that the client provided without knowledge, that would probably be... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Mississippi on
Q: I was in a car accident. How much pain and suffering money should I ask for?

I was not extremely hurt. A few bruises, and a hospital check up. My car was fully totaled. I had a passenger, she was hurt a bit more, but not a significant amount.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 13, 2023

A Mississippi attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. I hope you and your passenger are okay. No attorney can really answer your question based on these limited facts. Your car was totaled. That evidences the possibility of serious impact, or that you were... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Insurance Defense for New York on
Q: I had an accident five months ago but It wasn't big so I didn't report it My insurance still help me?

I had an accident five months ago. It wasn't big so I didn't report it. But now I am being sued by the other driver for $8000 in damages. Can I still get help from my insurance company? Its American transit insurance company ATIC. Do they provide free lawyer in this case?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 12, 2023

Turn the lawsuit papers over to American Transit after making copies for your own records. Because of the time gap, you may be confronted with the argument that their rights to investigate the claim were prejudiced by the delay in reporting. Every carrier can be different in their tolerance for... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Gov & Administrative Law for New York on
Q: The driving law states in nyc a driver with a permit needs dual brakes, yet while taking the road test while you only

Have a permit and don't need dual brakes

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 10, 2023

Here is an excerpt from the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles regarding dual brakes...

"If you have a junior learner permit, you may drive in any of the five boroughs in New York City between the hours of 5 AM and 9 PM only under the direct supervision of your parent, guardian, a person...
Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith and Landlord - Tenant for Minnesota on
Q: Can a insurance company close our claim after 7 months? We had a fire at the place we were renting on 1-1-2022

We had a house fire on 1-1-22 in Aitkin, MN. We were renting and I had renters insurance and I was told by my claims adjuster I had 2 years to get them my non salvageable list. Was going to send and my claim has been closed since July 2022. Just wondering how long a claim is open for

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 9, 2023

A Minnesota attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. I'm sorry about the fire. In terms of Minnesota statutes of limitations to file suit, only a local attorney can advise you there. But as a general premise of insurance practices nationwide, claims can... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Colorado on
Q: Hi I took a urinalysis test for the company I work for to gain access to the refinery in our town for a contract we acqu

And I feel the collection process was that incorrectly we were the first into the office that morning and I was the first person to give a sample and there were probably eight people that went after me after I was done with my sample I left to smoke a cigarette and was outside across the street... Read more »

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 7, 2023

A Colorado attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for four weeks. Based on the details, it isn't clear what the consequences of the urine sample mix-up were. If it is something involving termination or suspension, then it's something that an employment attorney is... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Admiralty / Maritime, Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation for Florida on
Q: If I have been working for a tour boat company for a week and am injured do i qualify for jones act protection medical?

As a 100 ton boat captain I was training on a new job with a fast boat that holds 30 passengers. While training under the command of another captain at the helm. I was injured. I was also injured the day before due to safety issues below deck. Both injuries to my deck I informed my employer by... Read more »

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 6, 2023

I'm sorry about your injuries. Yes, on your first question, it sounds like you would qualify for maintenance and cure. Those fast boats are usually domestically registered and do not operate under offshore flags. I can't be certain, based on the details of the post, but I would guess that... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Personal Injury for Florida on
Q: Can I recover losses from lack of disclosure from previous unit owner about broken pipes that led to mold?

I purchased a home (AS-IS) in South Florida on July 20, 2022 and didn't move in until mid-August. Pre-buy inspection mentioned mold samples taken from HVAC and had pictures of perfume sticks in HVAC vents. It also had pictures of a flood in front of the unit. I discovered a broken pipe behind... Read more »

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 5, 2023

A Florida attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. I could only address issues related to the category posted under, Personal Injury. A local real estate attorney would have insight into the other issues relating to disclosure, inspection, and property damage. In... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for New York on
Q: I was hit in my vehicle on the way to where I worked in 1992.A 18 wheeler trucker went threw a red light and was injure

With the surgery and winning judgement against trucker I was to have full medical for my jaw injury. For life.Yes it was 31 years ago and I have been in need for more surgery but I dint have my lawyers name then or how to collect fir my surgery . If U dint remember lawyers name ir trucking company... Read more »

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 4, 2023

You could check with the court where the case was handled. You could also check department of motor vehicle records for accident reports, which from your description, would have passed the threshold to file a report of motor vehicle accident. You indicate MORE surgery. If you have any leads to the... Read more »

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Contracts for Oregon on
Q: Can insurance companies ask you for your rental lease during a claims investigation? I live in Oregon by the way.

There was an accident, and I think they are trying to determine where I Lived at the time of the accident. I already told them my living situation at the time.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 2, 2023

An Oregon attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. Until you're able to check with a local attorney on specific Oregon laws, the general rule nationwide is that insurance carriers can make reasonable requests for information necessary to verify the validity of a... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Education Law for New York on
Q: How to get out of covering a fire alarm in a dormitory at college situation?

My friend lives at the dorm in college and while they were gone for spring break, someone checked their room and supposedly found the fire alarm covered by a bag. They now have a hearing for the situation soon and don’t know how to go about it.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 30, 2023

This looks similar to another New York question involving a dormitory smoke alarm. In my response there, I recommended reviewing the paperwork and assessing what the disciplinary action or charges are, depending on whether the hearing is through the school or through a public court. Your friend... Read more »

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Colorado on
Q: I almost hit a pedestrian, are there repercussions?

I was at a stop sign, there was snow so I was leaning forward to see any cars. As I went to go, I saw a pedestrian crossing. I immediately hit the brakes and she put her hands forward on the truck to stop herself. She walked off and I drove back around to see if she was ok but she was gone.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 30, 2023

A Colorado attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. It sounds like the truck was the vehicle you were driving. It does not seem like there were any injuries, only sticking hands out to brace oneself. It would have been better to ask the person if they were okay, but... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Education Law for New York on
Q: My friend covered a fire alarm in her dormitory room at college, they found it and she has a hearing, what to do?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 29, 2023

Your friend should review the hearing papers and learn who is conducting the hearing, whether internal through campus fire & safety or through a public court, what it involves in terms of charges, penalties, campus/academic discipline, etc. She could consider consulting with an attorney to... Read more »

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Texas on
Q: Legal liability of at-fault driver in a fender-bender in a vehicle without insurance coverage at the time of accident?

I was recently in a minor car accident when I couldn’t skidded and couldn’t stop in time when coming to a line of cars at a red light. The car I hit then hit the car in front of her, who then hit the car in front of them. No injuries, no airbags deployed, just minor cosmetic damage for all 3... Read more »

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 29, 2023

A Texas attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. I'm sorry about your accident. I hope you and everyone involved are okay. As a general matter nationwide, such chain reaction impacts with a line of stationary cars are usually attributed to the moving car that... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Contracts and Arbitration / Mediation Law for Indiana on
Q: What happens if your mediation deadline is April 18th, and mediation was held on April 8th?

What happens if your mediation deadline is April 18th, and mediation was held on April 8th, and the parties reached a settlement agreement, but the obligations of the agreement cant be fulfilled until after the mediation deadline?

Such as the mediator filing the mediation report a week... Read more »

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 28, 2023

An Indiana attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. Until you're able to consult with a local attorney, the situation you describe does arise. Mediators or arbitrators can set conditions in a report or decision that remain to be fulfilled afterwards. If the... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law for New York on
Q: I am looking for a lawyer who know New York Insurance Law for fertility treatment or fertility preservation coverage

I live in New York, I work in a large company with more than 100 employees,

I was diagnosed infertility, so I am eligible for fertility treatment under New York new law, I call my insurance company , they do not care this law,

then I call my company HR department, they do not care... Read more »

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 28, 2023

One option might be to research health care attorneys. In addition to your own searches, you could look into the attorney referral sections of state and local bar associations. Also, there is a tab above, "Find a Lawyer," that lists attorneys by areas of practice and region. It's... Read more »

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.