Fox v. Little People's School, Inc.

Arlene Fox, the plaintiff, was injured when she opened a set of double doors at the end of a corridor in a building operated by the defendant, The Little People’s School, Inc. (school), stepped out and fell on a step and landing. She sued the school,1 contending it negligently maintained the step and landing.

Fox’s initial complaint contained only a single count alleging *579common-law negligence. Subsequently, however, she moved to amend the complaint to assert a claim for damages arising under G. L. c. 143, § 51 (as amended through St. 1993, c. 495, § 35), a statute providing, in part, that…