An employer shall keep a record of all injuries, fatal or otherwise, received by his or her employees arising out of and in the course of their employment and for which compensation is claimed or paid. Within 15 days after the occurrence of the injuries and knowledge thereof by the employer, a report of the same shall be made to the department on forms approved by the department. At the discretion of the secretary, reports received under this chapter may be destroyed after 12 years.
Ala. Code § 25-5-4 (1975)