changing the shock absorbers?

I sent my car for servicing and repair of the cooling system. After servicing/repair, my mechanic told me that the shock absorbers are worn out and the car is rather bumpy. I didn't know how bad it was until I drove the car. It becomes very bumpy, jerky and noisy and the drive was traumatic. Before the repair, the car was rather normal. I was told that hoisting the car to servicing was necessary for such repair and that such incidents are natural cause and that they were not liable and I had to bear the cost for changing the shock absorbers. My question is: who is liable?