Medical benefits vary from State to State. Some programs permit the injured worker to select a medical provider of his or her own choice. Some States have a closed panel system that requires an employee to seek medical attention from a medical provider chosen by the employer or the employer's insurance company. The award of permanent disability also varies from State to State. Usually the legislatures have enacted a schedule of disabilities and an unscheduled disability is then described in terms of the total person.
Awards are usually periodic and can be paid throughout an injured worker's entire lifetime.
Even if you are covered by one of the exemptions, you should consider having workers' compensation insurance anyway. It typically is very affordable coverage that could really save you a bundle if someone got injured while working for you. Not only is workers' compensation coverage the right thing to do, it can protect you and your business from a devastating claim in its absence. You'll also need other general liability insurance for your business. It's not always your employee who poses potential liability.