What is meant by "civil liability"?

Civil liability refers to a legal obligation that arises when an individual or entity is responsible for causing harm or damages to another party due to wrongful conduct. This concept is fundamental in civil law, where the focus is on compensating the victim rather than punishing the offender. When someone is found to have civil liability, they are typically required to provide compensation, often in the form of monetary damages, to the affected party to remedy the harm caused.

The other options present concepts that do not relate to civil liability. The immunity granted to public officials refers to legal protections that shield them from being sued for actions taken in their official capacity. Criminal charges involve the prosecution of individuals for violations of statutes, which can lead to penalties such as imprisonment. Lastly, the notion of a situation where a defendant cannot be sued pertains to legal defenses or protections that may prevent a lawsuit, which is also distinct from the idea of civil liability.