Gross Negligence by Home Depot Installer Leads to Gas Exposure, Legal Action Initiated

LAVEEN, Ariz. - EntSun -- LAVEEN, AZ – Patrick Brian Harmes, a SAG/AFTRA Union actor and public figure with over 110,000 followers on Instagram- has initiated a formal personal injury and gross negligence claim against Home Depot and its third-party claims administrator, Sedgwick following a natural gas poisoning incident. The legal action follows a hazardous appliance installation that resulted in harmful exposure to natural gas. On June 9, 2025, a Home Depot subcontractor allegedly left an open, uncapped gas line behind a newly installed electric dryer in Mr. Harmes's laundry room. Unaware of the ongoing leak, Harmes remained in the enclosed room for 20–25 minutes and later required emergency hospitalization. Medical records confirmed a diagnosis of Natural Gas Exposure, including a blood test showing an elevated carboxyhemoglobin level of 2.40% hours after the event. The incident appears to violate multiple safety codes, including provisions in the 2021 National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54), which require all gas piping systems to be securely capped, tested for pressure, and verified for leaks before being left in service. These violations also conflict with basic residential construction safety standards and installer protocols. As of this release, Mr. Harmes continues to experience significant symptoms, including dizziness, nausea, cognitive fog, ear ringing, shortness of breath, and persistent fatigue. He is undergoing evaluation by a neurologist, pulmonologist, and toxicologist to determine the full extent of the long-term damage. "This should never have happened," Harmes stated. "I trusted a national retailer to perform a basic appliance installation safely, and instead I was exposed to life-threatening gas. My goal is to hold them accountable—not only for my injuries, but to help prevent this from happening to others." This public notice is intended to raise awareness of the potential life-threatening consequences of negligent installation practices and to call for better oversight, training, and accountability among subcontracted installers. https://www.protectthecustomers.org

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https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/detail?code=54