A Columbus jury awarded $125 million to the daughter and executrix of a man who died in what was described as an unbearably hot apartment in a building for low-income and disabled residents, many of whom testified of squalid conditions, nonfunctional heating and air conditioning and management that evicted anyone who complained. 

The verdict award included $50 million in punitive damages against the owners and management of The Ralston, a 269-unit building in what was once one of Columbus’ toniest hotels. It sits across a downtown street from the iconic First Baptist Church.