§ 18. Disposition of accrued benefits upon death. Except as otherwise
provided in section ten of this chapter, in the case of the death of an
injured volunteer firefighter to whom there was due at the time of his
or her death any benefits under the provisions of this chapter, the
amount of such benefits shall be payable to the surviving spouse, if
there be one, or, if none, to the surviving child or children of the
deceased under the age of eighteen years, and if there be no surviving
spouse or children, then to the dependents of such deceased or to any of
them as the workers' compensation board may direct, and if there be no
surviving spouse, children or dependents of such deceased, then to his
or her estate. An award for disability may be made after the death of an
injured volunteer firefighter.