Sam was employed as an event planner for Springfield Event Inc. from 2018 to mid-September 2022 when he was fired for violating the Company's leave policy. Sam's duties required him to work with a team of event planners to create innovative marketing events for clients. Springfield Event Inc. is based in Springfield but has clients throughout New England. Sam lives in Springfield with his elderly father[Sam's father is 92 years old and suffers from a serious lung condition and is often in need of medical attention. When Sam is on the road, he has a nurse stay with his father.

Last week Sam was assigned a very large event to plan in Bangor Maine. The event was scheduled for 4 days. One day into the event Sam was informed by his father's nurse that his father had a serious medical episode and was in the hospital. Sam decided to return home to Springfield. He told his 3 team members working on the Bangor Maine event that he had to leave to care for his father.

In a rush to get back to Springfield, Sam did not contact anyone back at Springfield Event Inc.'s corporate office. Meanwhile, the General Manager at Corporate, not knowing that Sam had left the event, called Sam's company-issued cell phone several times and sent him several e-mails.

Four days after leaving the event, Sam sent an e-mail to the General Manager of Springfield Event Inc. Sam apologized for not contacting the General Manager earlier and explained that he left the event to attend to his father's medical conditioh. He noted that his father was still in the hospital and in critical condition.

When the General Manager received Sam's e-mail, he repeatedly attempted to contact Sam by phone over a two-day period to inquire further about his leave. As it turned out Sam left his Company cell phone in his hotel room in Bangor Maine. When he could not get in touch, he sent Sam an e-mail informing him that he was fired.

Sam sued Springfield Event Inc. alleging he was legally entitled to the leave. What legal theory applies? Specifically, state the elements of the legal theory? Apply the facts of the problem to the legal theory and explain to Sam if he has the potential to prevail if he brings a lawsuit.