Final answer:
B. Non-contractual civil wrong
A tort is a non-contractual civil wrong that provides a legal avenue for a person to seek damages for harm caused by another's wrongful act. It operates under civil law with a 'preponderance of the evidence' standard, unlike the higher 'beyond a reasonable doubt' standard in criminal law.
Step-by-step explanation:
A tort is defined as a non-contractual civil wrong. It is a legal action that a person can take against another party when they have suffered harm due to the other party's wrongful act. Unlike criminal law, where the standard of evidence is 'beyond a reasonable doubt,' a civil case such as a tort requires a lower standard of proof known as 'preponderance of the evidence.' This means that to win a civil case, the plaintiff must demonstrate that it is more likely than not that the defendant is liable for damages.
Indeed, the famous case of O.J. Simpson illustrates this distinction. Although Simpson was acquitted in a criminal trial on charges of murder, he was later found liable in civil court for wrongful death — the family of the victims filed a tort claim against him, seeking damages for the losses they suffered due to his alleged actions.