Which of the following is considered a tort?

A tort is defined as a civil wrong that causes harm or loss to another, leading to legal liability. An act of negligence falls under this definition of torts, as it involves a breach of a duty of care owed to another person that results in harm. When an individual fails to act with the reasonable care that a prudent person would exercise in a similar situation, and this failure leads to injury or damage, it constitutes negligence, which is a foundational concept in tort law.

In contrast, a breach of contract is related to the failure to fulfill the terms of a legally binding agreement and is addressed in contract law rather than tort law. Similarly, violations of criminal law pertain to offenses against the state and are handled through the criminal justice system, not tort law. Lastly, business regulation violations typically involve administrative or regulatory issues rather than tortious conduct. Therefore, the act of negligence is the clear example of a tort among the choices provided.