QUESTION: Several months ago I fell in a department store, shattering my shoulder and re-injuring my left elbow. Both of these injuries required surgery, with a good possibility of more surgery necessary. Insurance covered a good portion, but I’m already on SSA help with what’s left. How likely are falls in stores settled? ANSWER: Ordinarily the burden of proving negligence is on the plaintiff. An exception for this is the doctrine of res ipsa loquitor wherein the burden effectively shifts to defendants to absolve themselves from responsibility or to show.