Church Did Not Violate Consumer Protection Laws in Tourist’s Trip Over Step

Church Did Not Violate Consumer Protection Laws in Tourist’s Trip Over Step

Court also denies liability under state’s recreational use statute when visit was free

The Old North Church in Boston cannot be held liable for violation of state consumer protection laws in a suit by a visitor who tripped over a step while moving into a pew during a tour of the building.  The issue arose because the court had also found the church immune from liability under the state’s recreational use statute, which permits liability only for “willful, wanton or reckless” conduct when making its facilities available free for recreational use.  (

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