How can a single offense be both crime and a tort?

A single offense can be both a crime and a tort because they are two distinct legal categories with different consequences. A crime involves a violation of a criminal law and is prosecuted by the state with punishment typically in the form of fines, imprisonment, or other penal sanctions. A tort involves a violation of a civil law resulting in harm to another person or entity, and is usually resolved through a civil lawsuit where the victim seeks compensation for damages.