Which of the following best defines civil liability?

Civil liability refers to the legal obligation of an individual or entity to compensate for harm caused to another party due to a wrongful act or negligence. This concept is fundamental in civil law, where the focus is on resolving disputes between individuals, often involving the pursuit of damages or restitution for injuries suffered.

In this context, responsibility for a wrongful act that injures another encompasses scenarios such as personal injury claims, defamation, and breach of contract. The essence of civil liability lies in the acknowledgment that one party’s actions (or inactions) have legally caused harm to another, leading to the obligation to rectify that harm through compensation.

The other options do not capture the essence of civil liability. Incarceration for a crime pertains to criminal liability, which is a separate legal framework focusing on punitive measures imposed by the state. Actions that are in compliance with the law fall outside the definition of civil liability, as such actions do not typically result in harm or wrongful acts. Lastly, criminal responsibility of an offender strictly relates to violations of criminal law, involving prosecution and potential penalties, rather than civil compensation.