Hallums v. Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

OPINION

CANTRELL, Judge.

We granted permission to appeal under Tenn.R.App.Proc. 9 solely on the question of whether plaintiffs discharge violated Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-50-103 which proscribes discrimination against handicapped persons. We find that under the circumstances of this case, the plaintiffs visual impairment is not a handicap that triggers the protection of the anti-discrimination law.

I

Plaintiff Jeff Hallums was born without sight in his right eye. The eye was removed shortly afterwards, and he wears a prosthesis in his right eye socket. Mr. Hallums first began working for…