Get to Know Our Compassionate, Experienced Attorneys and Paralegals

In addition to his work as a practicing trial lawyer, Tom has passionately engaged in the fight against addiction and the opiate overdose epidemic for over 25 years.  During this time, Tom was the co-founder and Program Director of the largest privately owned Outpatient Treatment Center in Pennsylvania. Mr Plaitano held the position of  Program Director of MedTech  Health Care Group, a State and Federally licensed outpatient treatment facility provided treatment to over 10,000  patients who had  developed  an addiction to opiates, including prescription pain medications taken as a result of injuries.

Mr Plaitano’s volunteer work included serving as a consultant to the Pa House Human Services Committee in the creation and drafting of Pennsylvania’s Prescription Drug Database Law. He has testified before the Pennsylvania legislature on the dangers and damages caused by Prescription Drug abuse and diversion.

Tom is proud of his 25 years of service to the Westmoreland County Criminal Justice Advisory Board where he was a founding member of the County’s Veterans’s Treatment Court, Drug Court, Magisterial Court Diversion Program and County Re-entry Program. Tom currently chairs the County’s Alternative Sentencing and Diversionary Subcommittee of the CJAB where he continues to help establish and expand services in the county.

At the State level, Tom is a founding member of the Attorney General’s Pa Re-Entry Council and continues to help develop statewide policies and standards to effectuate the President’s second chance act at the state and local level.

Locally, Tom continues his dedication to the fight against addiction by serving as the Solicitor to Sage’s Army, a well-known and respected Recovery Community Organization in Greensburg and Irwin. Sage’s Army provides Certified Recovery Specialists to individuals and families who are fighting against the disease of addiction without charge. The good people of Sage’s Army have been instrumental in saving hundreds of lives through individual services, intervention, referrals, transportation and overdose medication and training.

Understanding the importance of workforce development in our community, Tom is proud of his time as co-founder and solicitor of the Laurel Highlands Workforce & Opportunity Center in Hempfield Township. The Center provides free education, training and certification to displaced individuals who want to enter the healthcare field. It is one of the first of its kind to offer free childcare and other assistance to overcome the barriers to employment to single parents and those in structural poverty.

Tom has been an avid hunter and strong supporter of the Second Amendment his entire life. In 2016 he co-founded Defenders Armory, a small firearms retailer on Route 30 just outside of his hometown of Jeannette Pa. Due to its rapid growth and success, in August of 2024, Defenders Armory expanded to a new 13,000 sq ft facility with retail, classrooms and a 12-lane shooting range in Hempfield Township Pa. The facility provides firearms safety and training for the public and area’s youth. It is also the supplier of firearms, equipment and training space for local law enforcement including the County’s District Attorney’s Office, Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office, County Jail, Hempfield Area School Police as well as hundreds of local law enforcement officers.

Tom is a lifelong resident of Westmoreland County having been born in Jeannette Pennsylvania. He attended Greensburg Central Catholic High School and Graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1986. Tom obtained his Juris Doctorate at the Ohio Northern University in 1989. He currently resides in Greensburg Pennsylvania with his wife of 30 years and together they are the parents of two adult children who have both continued the family legacy of service to the community.

Chris received his Juris Doctorate degree in 1997 from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and was admitted to the Bar of Pennsylvania in 1998, and the U.S. District Court of Western Pennsylvania in 2006.

Born and raised in Greensburg, PA, Chris has been a member of the local community his entire life. Growing up in a large working-class family, he understands and easily relates to his clients’ sensibilities, allowing him to put their minds at ease during these painful and stressful times in their lives. He prides himself on being understanding of each individual client’s needs and personally works with each of his clients to both help them through these difficult times and to maximize the recovery they receive.

When you work with Chris, you can rest assured that he will personally handle every aspect of your case. At Westmoreland Injury Lawyers, unlike many other personal injury firms, we do not delegate tasks to an inexperienced associate attorney.

When you come to our office to discuss your case, you will meet personally with Chris. In addition, while many other firms and attorneys are difficult to contact while your case progresses, Chris maintains an open line of communication with his clients and ensures he is personally available to his clients throughout the duration of their cases.

Our commitment to personalized client service makes your experience at Westmoreland Injury Lawyers significantly different than with other law firms. Chris Vallano has more than 25 years of experience practicing law in Greensburg, PA, and has obtained millions of dollars in compensation for his clients. He is dedicated to helping injured people recover their financial losses from those responsible using his deep knowledge of personal injury law and the civil court system.