What is defined as a violation of a duty imposed by the civil law?

A tort is defined as a violation of a duty imposed by civil law. Torts arise when an individual's actions cause harm or injury to another person, leading to legal liability. The essence of tort law is to protect individuals and their property, ensuring that they are compensated for harm caused by others. This can include various forms of conduct, such as negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and defamation, among others.

Torts differ from contracts, which are agreements between parties that create obligations enforceable by law. While contracts deal with duties arising from mutual agreements, torts focus on duties that arise independently of any agreement. Statutes are written laws passed by legislative bodies, and regulations are rules made by governmental agencies to implement statutes. While statutes and regulations can lead to tortious acts if they are violated, they are not definitions of a violation themselves. Tort law specifically addresses the context of wrongful acts that cause harm, cementing why it is the correct answer in this scenario.