They can choose to terminate your contract of employment on the basis of being long term sick/unlikely to return to work in the foreseeable future. If your accident was at work, are your employers liable in any way? If they are, you should put in a claim via your solicitors or one of those 'no win, no fee' agencies (you have up to 3 years from the date of your accident to do that). You may be able to claim compensation for your accident and also for any loss of earnings. You can put in a claim (if they are clearly liable) regardless of whether you intend to return to their employ or not. Their decision may be based on how long you were working for them prior to the accident as the longer you've worked for them, the more rights you may have i.e. If you were in a probationary period, it is far easier for them to terminate a contract for any reason.