Which of the following is considered a breach of the duties imposed by tort law?

Negligence is a key concept in tort law and is defined as the failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in similar circumstances. This failure can result in harm or injury to another party, which is the central concern of tort law. A breach of the duty of care—whether through action or inaction—that leads to damage or injury is classified as negligence. In essence, negligence fits the framework of tort law because it addresses harm caused by a lack of proper conduct.

The other options, while related to legal principles, do not specifically represent a breach of duties recognized in tort law. Breach of contract pertains to the failure to fulfill the terms of an agreement, which is governed by contract law rather than tort law. A material breach is a significant violation of a contractual obligation, also falling under contract law. Strict liability involves holding a party accountable for damages or injuries without proof of negligence or fault, but it does not directly address a breach of duty in the sense that negligence does. Thus, negligence distinctly embodies a breach of duty within the tort law framework.