<prompt> Human: Hi pf. I work for a cable company. Working on the side of a house. I was squatting changing a ground block. Stood up and heardfelt 5-6 pops in my knee. Almost passed out from the pain. Went to the Dr with my supervisor that night and the Dr thinks its a torn meniscus in my left knee. I go see an orthopedic surgeon this week to see if thats what it is and see if I need surgery. If I do need surgery. It looks like I would be out for a few months. I wanted to know if anyone had any experience with new jerseys workmans comp program. If so I want to know if they pay the same as my normal hourly rate I was making before I got hurt. I had also heard that it can take up to 8 weeks for them to start paying. Which is a bit worrying. Thankfully though, my parents are in a position to help me if it comes down to it. So basically I just need some advice from you rpf  <response>: Workers compensation will never pay 100 of your salary. Usually its about 75 of your salary. They do this on purpose because they want you to have an incentive to go back to work as soon as you can. 