(a) Upon death of a member before retirement as the proximate result of bodily injuries sustained or a hazard undergone while in the performance and within the scope of his duties, if such injuries or hazard were not the consequence of the wilful misconduct of the member, the surviving widow of the member shall be entitled to an annuity equal to 40 percent of the annual compensation of the member at the date of death of the member, to continue during her widowhood. This annuity shall be increased by 10 percent of the member's compensation on account of each unmarried minor child under age 18, subject to a maximum payment to a widow and children of 60 percent of compensation. If there be no widow or if the widow dies or remarries before any child of such deceased member shall have attained the age of 18 years, then each child under said age shall receive an annuity of 10 percent of the member's compensation, to continue until each child attains age 18, subject to a limitation of 50 percent of compensation to all minor children. If there be no widow or children under age 18 then payment of annuity shall be made to the dependent father and dependent mother of the member, at the rate of 25 percent of compensation to each, for life, provided, that if none of the aforementioned beneficiaries is living at the death of the member, no duty-connected death annuity shall be paid under the provisions hereof.
(b) Adopted children shall be eligible for benefits hereunder provided the proceedings for adoption shall have been initiated at least one year prior to the date of death of the member.
(c) Where any payment under any section of this chapter is due a minor, or a person mentally incompetent or under other legal disability, such payment may be made to the person who is constituted guardian or other fiduciary by the law of the Virgin Islands, or the place of residence of such claimant, or is otherwise legally vested with the care of the claimant or his estate; Provided, That where no guardian or other fiduciary of the person under legal disability has been appointed under the laws of the Virgin Islands or the place of residence of the claimant, payment may be made to any person who in the judgment of the System is responsible for the care of the claimant, and such payment shall be a bar to recovery to any other person.