Which description accurately represents a civil wrong?

An act of negligence accurately represents a civil wrong because it occurs when an individual fails to exercise the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would under similar circumstances, leading to harm or injury to another person. This type of wrongful act typically forms the basis for a civil lawsuit, where the injured party seeks compensation for damages caused by the negligent act.

In contrast, a failure of contractual obligations, while related to civil law, specifically concerns breaches of agreements between parties rather than general civil wrongs. Violations of criminal law pertain to actions that are offenses against the state or public, leading to criminal prosecution rather than civil liability. Unfair business practices could also constitute a civil wrong; however, they are a more specific subset of civil law focused on trade and commerce, rather than a broad category like negligence that encompasses various forms of wrongful conduct. Thus, negligence succinctly captures the essence of a civil wrong.