Is Apple Liable for data lost in a Free Data Transfer?

Okay, so a few days ago I bought a new macbook air because my old macbook was getting too old/slow. After I bought it I went to an Apple Store and the Genius Bar offered to give me a free data transfer from my old laptop to my new laptop. When it was finished they offered to take my old laptop so I gave it to them and took my new one back home. At home I opened up my computer to find that none of my files and pictures were there, when I had explicitly told them I needed all my documents and files transferred. I am going back to the Apple store tomorrow to see if they still have my old laptop, which I highly doubt they have not wiped yet. Anyways, what I wanted to know is if Apple is liable for this mistake and if I could receive any sort of compensation from it?