Which type of civil lawsuit addresses wrongful acts that cause harm?

The correct response is based on the definition of a tort within the realm of civil law. A tort is a wrongful act, whether intentional or accidental, that causes harm or injury to another party. In a tort lawsuit, the plaintiff seeks compensation for damages suffered due to the defendant's actions or negligence. This area of law is distinct from other types of civil lawsuits, as it specifically pertains to personal injuries and damages caused by wrongful acts rather than breaches of fiduciary duty or regulatory violations.

Negligence, while a category of tort, is not a standalone answer because it describes a specific type of tort situation where a party fails to exercise reasonable care, leading to someone else's injury. Regulatory lawsuits typically involve governmental rules and compliance issues rather than individual harm caused by another's actions. Contract law, meanwhile, relates to breaches of agreements between parties rather than acts that cause harm outside of that context. Hence, tort law encompasses a broader spectrum of wrongful acts and is the most encompassing and accurate choice regarding civil wrongs that lead to harm.