Gross Negligence and Code Violations by Home Depot Installer Result in Dangerous Gas Exposure Incident

LAVEEN, Ariz. - July 7, 2025 - PRLog -- LAVEEN, AZ – On June 9, 2025, a catastrophic safety failure occurred in the home of Patrick Brian Harmes, a public figure and SAG/AFTRA professional actor residing in Laveen, Arizona, after a Home Depot subcontractor failed to cap a live gas line during an appliance installation. The installer left the gas line open in a fully enclosed, unventilated laundry room, resulting in the release of hazardous natural gas into the living space — a violation of multiple state and national safety codes.

Mr. Harmes sought emergency medical care within two hours of the exposure. Blood tests conducted within five hours confirmed elevated carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels, and hospital records officially documented the diagnosis as acute natural gas inhalation. These findings provide indisputable medical evidence of toxic exposure.

Since the incident, Mr. Harmes has been diagnosed by a board-certified neurologist with active amnesia, giddiness, and a right ear vestibular disorder — all newly onset symptoms with no prior medical history. He is also undergoing MRI brain imaging, seeing a pulmonologist for shortness of breath and psychiatric evaluation to assess additional neurological and psychological impairment, including anxiety, mood instability, and concentration difficulty.

"The failure to cap a gas line is not a minor oversight; it is a life-threatening breach of fundamental safety standards," said Mr. Harmes. "Home Depot and its agents violated residential fuel gas code and showed reckless disregard for human life."

Experts point to violations of the International Residential Code (IRC G2415) and the National Fire Protection Association's NFPA 54 fuel gas safety standards. Under Arizona law, Home Depot may be held liable under vicarious liability and nondelegable duty doctrines for the acts of its installers. Particularly when those acts violate multiple safety codes and result in personal injury.

Mr. Harmes is currently seeking accountability through a formal injury claim.

"This wasn't just negligence — it was gross negligence. This could have been prevented if the authorized Home Depot installer had been properly trained and professionally supervised. I'm not going to stay silent," Mr. Harmes said. For more information regarding this matter go to www.protectthecustomers.org

Contact:
Patrick Brian Harmes
800-876-7886

Protect The Customers website:
https://www.protectthecustomers.org

Patrick Brian Harmes Instagram:
http://www.instagram.com/vipgentgram

David Lee- Protect The Customers Representative
310-606-1685

Email:
info@protectthecustomers.org: