Gross Negligence and Code Violations by The Home Depot Lead to Toxic Gas Exposure and Legal Action
LAVEEN, Ariz., July 9, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- On June 9, 2025, a Home Depot authorized installer performed an appliance installation at the residence of SAG-AFTRA actor and public figure Patrick Brian Harmes in Laveen, Arizona. During the installation, the installer failed to cap an active gas line located behind the appliance inside a fully enclosed laundry room. This omission caused flammable and toxic natural gas to escape into the home, creating an immediately hazardous and life-threatening indoor environment.
The installer's failure to follow mandatory safety procedures constitutes a direct violation of established residential and fuel gas codes, including the International Residential Code (IRC), Section G2425 and NFPA 55: National Furl Gas Code. These codes are designed to prevent exactly this type of catastrophic outcome and mandate that all gas lines be properly sealed when disconnected.
Within hours of exposure Mr. Harmes experienced severe symptoms, including dizziness, confusion, and near collapse. He presented to emergency department, where medical professionals diagnosed acute gas exposure and confirmed elevated carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels through blood testing within 5 hours of the incident. These records document the causal relationship between the exposure and immediate harm.
Over the following weeks Mr. Harmes developed serious neurological and cognitive symptoms. A board certified neurologist has since diagnosed him with active amnesia, giddiness, and right ear vestibular dysfunction- none of which he had experienced prior to the incident. Additional tests, including brain MRI scans and pulmonary imaging are underway. He is also being referred for psychiatric evaluation to assess persistent anxiety, memory loss, and concentration difficulties stemming from the event.
"This was not just a careless mistake." said Mr. Harmes. "It was a reckless act of gross negligence that could have killed someone. I'm fortunate to be alive, but my health has been permanently altered."
Under Arizona law, gross negligence is defined as a conscious disregard of a known risk that creates a high probability of harm. The uncapped gas line- left in a sealed, unventilated space-was a foreseeable danger. Home Depot is fully liable under the principles of vicarious liability and nondelegable duty, which hold corporations responsible for the conduct of agents performing work on their behalf.
This case meets the legal standard of rea ipsa loquitor- the principle that some incidents speak for themselves as evidence of negligence. A properly trained installer would never leave a live gas line uncapped. Mr. Harmes alleges that Home Depot not only failed to ensure code compliance, but also disregarded basic safety standards and consumer protection responsibilities.
Mr. Harmes has initiated a formal legal claim seeking both compensatory damages for physical, neurological, and emotional harm, as well as punitive damages to deter future misconduct. The incident has disrupted his career, severely impacted his health, and raised significant public safety concerns.
This is not an isolated case of poor workmanship- it's a systematic failure that endangers lives and violates public trust. Mr. Harmes urges Home Depot to take immediate responsibility and reform its safety oversight practices.
Media Contact:
Protect The Customers-Consumer Advocacy Group
Email:
Phone:
1-800-876-7886
Contact:
Patrick Harmes
David Lee
Media Contact
Patrick Brian Harmes, Protect The Customers, 1 800-876-7886, [email protected], www.protectthecustomers.org
David Lee, Protect The Customers, 1 310-606-1685, [email protected], www.protectthecustomers.org
SOURCE Protect The Customers
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