127A-108. Pay and care of soldiers, airmen and sailors disabled in service.

A member of the North Carolina National Guard, the State defense militia, or the naval militia who without fault or negligence on the member's part is disabled through illness, injury, or disease contracted or incurred while on duty or by reason of duty in the service of the State or while reasonably proceeding to or returning from duty shall receive the actual necessary expenses for care and medicine and medical attention at the expense of the State and if the disability temporarily incapacitates the member from pursuing the member's usual business or occupation the member shall receive during his or her incapacity the pay and allowances that are provided for the same grade and rating in like circumstances in the active Armed Forces of the United States. If the member is permanently disabled, the member shall receive the pensions and benefits that persons under similar circumstances in the Armed Forces of the United States receive from the United States. In case a member dies as a result of such an injury, illness or disease within one year after it has been incurred or contracted, the surviving spouse, minor children, or dependent parents of the member shall receive the pension and benefits as persons under similar circumstances receive from the United States.

The cost incurred by reason of this section shall be paid out of the Contingency and Emergency Fund, or another fund designated by law.

The Adjutant General, with the approval of the Governor, shall make and publish regulations pursuant to this section that are necessary for its implementation. Before the name of any person is placed on the disability or pension rolls of the State under this section, proof shall be made in accordance with these regulations that the applicant is entitled to the care, pension, or benefit.

Nothing in this section shall in any way limit or condition any other payment to a member that the law allows, except that any payments made under the provisions of Chapter 97 of the General Statutes or under federal statutes as now or hereafter amended shall be deducted from the payments made under this section.