Erin Andrews: How $55 Million Gets Whittled Away ... to $6 Mil

Erin Andrews won a spectacular victory in her peephole lawsuit, but her $55 million verdict is almost certainly going to get slashed many times over.

Of the $55 million, she will never see a penny from pervert Michael Barrett, who is on the hook for $28 million. Marriott is responsible for the remaining $27 million.

Marriott will almost certainly appeal the verdict, which then opens the door to settlement. There are compelling reasons why Erin might want to settle. It's a huge judgment when you consider there's no physical injury ... just emotional distress. An appeals court could overturn the verdict on grounds it's simply excessive. It's a crapshoot to go forward with an appeal ... for both sides.

The legal experts we've spoken with all say the likelihood is the case will settle ... for somewhere around $20 million on Marriott's part.

Now the lawyers' fees. In lawsuits where a case actually goes to trial, lawyers typically get around 40% of the recoverable judgment. So, if Erin settles with Marriott for $20 million, the lawyers would get $8 million, leaving her with $12 million. And Erin's responsible for costs in preparing the case, which we're told could approach $1 million, leaving her with $11 million.

Now the bad news. In cases where someone wins an award for emotional distress without any physical injuries, the award is taxable. So the $11 million becomes more like $6 million.

The good news ... the lawyers will make a fortune.