This six-day series ran in 2008 and uncovered serious safety regulation abuses at N.C. poultry plants. Based on thousands of documents and hundreds of interviews, the investigation found some company officials underreported workplace injuries to regulators and prevented injured workers from seeking a doctor’s care.
The stories led to Congressional hearings, efforts to punish the underreporting of workplace injuries and promises from federal and state legislators to protect young workers from dangerous jobs.
The series won numerous national awards including the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award, the ASNE Writing Award for watchdog reporting, a National Headliner Award and the Taylor Fairness Award.