All claim files shall be kept in maintenance for a period of how many years from the date of injury or the date of the last provision of benefits, whichever is later?

• A. 3 years
• B. 5 years
• C. 7 years
• D. 10 years

Answer: (B)

The key idea is how long claim records should be kept to protect the integrity of the claim and the ability to review or reopen it if needed. Five years is the standard retention period, measured from the later of the date of injury or the date of the last provision of benefits. This ensures the file exists long enough to cover any extended benefit periods or potential appeals, settlements, or audits that could arise after the initial injury. It also means records aren’t kept longer than necessary, balancing accessibility with storage and privacy considerations. Shorter periods risk losing important evidence before a claim is fully resolved, while longer periods add unnecessary cost without added value.